In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella
In the Runes: The Beauty Within By Leanne Karella
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. In the Runes: The Beauty Within Copyright© 2006 Leanne Karella ISBN: 978‐1‐60088‐099‐5 Cover Artist: Louisa Gallie & Sable Grey Editor: Michelle Foxe All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Cobblestone Press, LLC www.cobblestone‐press.com
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella
Dedication To Shonna and Melissa. You ladies are awesome! Thanks for all the help.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella
Chapter One Jana Kincaid watched the houses in the distance grow nearer as her sister guided the shiny pink F350 down the long dusty road, the weight of the oversized camper swaying the truck slightly over the bumpy road. Houses, barns, corrals, a couple of shiny grain silos, and lush green fields. The Rocky Basin Ranch. A truly impressive sight in a gorgeous setting at the base of the Judith Mountains; as Bobby had said it was. She rubbed the dull ache between her eyes and wanted to sigh. Driving two hundred miles out of their way so her sister could play buckle bunny to one of Montana’s many rodeo stars. Good gracious, she thought. When will Valisa ever grow up? “Ohh, there he is,” Valisa said, her excitement plain in the way she gripped the steering wheel and sat up straighter. “He is so damn hot. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into him again.” Jana looked at the approaching buildings and saw Bobby standing with hand raised in greeting. Okay, he was pretty cute, had nice wide shoulders and wavy blond hair, but there wasn’t a lot between his ears that she could tell. He could ride a bull like no one’s business, but when it came to conversation he was greatly lacking. Then again, Valisa wasn’t interested in conversation. Though, the girl could probably use some help in the whole intelligence department, too. Maybe they were meant for each other.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Jana snickered to herself. Wouldn’t it be sweet if Valisa actually found a guy and settled down? Maybe then Dad would lay off and let her live her own life instead of making her trail after her little sister forever. Wishful thinking, but she could hope, couldn’t she? Jeez, she surely hoped Valisa did a lot better than Bobby Johnson when the time came. Near one of the older houses was a big fire pit with a side of beef slowly rotating over the red coals. The sun was setting, but she knew the air outside would still be hot. July in central Montana never seemed to cool off much. A group of nearly two‐dozen people stood visiting, or sat at umbrella shaded picnic tables. Great, a party. Fantastic. Just what she needed. Not. Damn, this was going to be one long week. Maybe Val and Bobby‐boy would have a nice big fight and they could go home and relax before the next rodeo. Valisa pulled the truck to a halt, threw it into park, and leapt out the door and into Bobby’s arms where their lip‐lock could have gotten them an NC‐17 rating. Jana reached over and turned off the ignition, then unbuckled her seatbelt. “Hiya, Jane,” Bobby said when he finally raised his head from her sister’s face. She smiled and gave a little wave. It’s Jana, you moron. “Come on and join the party. We’re just getting started.” Yee ha, she thought and pushed her door open. Val and Bobby headed off toward the throng of people. Why was she surprised? Val didn’t give a damn about anything but getting back into Bobby’s pants. God forbid the girl gave a care to her horse that was stuck in the trailer for the past five hours. Slowly sliding off the seat, she felt the aches and pains caused by sitting in the truck so long. She stretched her back and shoulders, then stretched her thigh muscles the best she could. After a peek through the bars of the trailer at Godiva to make sure the mare was okay, she grabbed her wipe board with its attached marker from the seat of the truck and limped her way toward the crowd. Bobby was introducing Valisa to everyone.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Jeez, there were a lot of people. Cowboys, women, older people, little kids. “And this is my boss, Carl Harrington,” Bobby said. Val shook Mr. Harrington’s big hand. The man was the size of a mountain, Jana thought. He had the dark skin, eyes and hair of a Native American. Rather handsome, probably nearing his midforties. She noticed a plain gold wedding band on his left hand, and wondered which of the half‐dozen pretty women in the vicinity was his wife. Bobby grabbed two bottles of beer from a deep bucket filled with ice and opened them. He handed one to Val and took a swig from the other. Disgusted, Jana walked up to Mr. Harrington and wrote on her board. Is there a place I can put our horse? Then held it up for Mr. Harrington to see. “Oh, Carl, this is Jane, Val’s sister. She takes care of the horse and stuff.” If she could growl, she would have. She sent Valisa a good glare, but the girl didn’t have eyes for anyone or anything beyond Bobby. “Nice to meet you, Jane.” Mr. Harrington shook her hand with his rough, callused paw. Working hands. “We’ve got an empty stall or two in the barn.” He turned and motioned to a young man about Bobby’s age. “Dan,” he called. The dark haired man was in his midtwenties, at least six‐foot‐three and built like a brick wall. All muscle. He ambled over, pushed his dark brown Stetson back a bit, and smiled down at her. “Ma’am,” he said in a deep, southern drawl. More Texas than Montana, Jana thought. He tipped his head in a sign of respect, and Jana found her first real smile. Intelligence shone in this young man’s rich brown eyes. Not like Bobby’s flighty baby blues. Mr. Harrington motioned toward Jana’s horse trailer. “Miss Jane’s got a mare that needs a home for a few days,” he said, and Jana realized Bobby must have told him they were coming. Well, that was something. At least the boss‐man was warned.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Sure thing,” Dan said. “As soon as you get her settled, join us,” Mr. Harrington said. “The beef’s just about done.” Jana smiled and nodded her acceptance. She was hungry. * * * * * Dan slowed his pace when he realized Jane was limping something fierce and couldn’t keep up with his normal stride. She had the same long, russet‐colored hair as her sister, and the same big, moss‐green eyes, but that’s where the similarities ended. Valisa was only about five‐four and willowy, whereas Jane was close to five‐eight and obviously much stronger. Jane was built like a farm girl. Tough. She had a deep scar running from the corner of her lip up toward her right ear. She wasn’t some flashy piece of fluff, the way her sister seemed. He would place her about ten years older than Valisa, probably around thirty‐five or so. “You stayin’ here with your sister for a few days?” he asked. She nodded. He’d seen her write on that board she was carrying. She couldn’t speak, obviously. He glanced over his shoulder at the crowd when he heard a decidedly feminine laugh that didn’t sound like any of the women he knew. Valisa was standing beside Bobby, wrapped in his arms, her head thrown back in laughter. While her big sister got to settle the horse. Jane opened both sides of the back of the pink double horse trailer. Gawd awful pink at that, with Godiva scrawled in black across the side. The truck matched the color of the horse trailer, and so did the camper on the back of the truck. He doubted that Jane had picked the color. She seemed too down to earth for something so flashy. Compared to her sister’s short‐short cut‐offs, bright yellow tube top and flip‐flop sandals, Jane was dressed in jeans, boots and a plaid work shirt. She even had a bandana tied around her neck. “Godiva?” Dan asked. Jane nodded, tucked the little wipe board under her arm after she swiped her sleeve over it to clear off her earlier writing, and took a lead
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella rope off the hook just inside the right hand door. Then she walked into the left side of the trailer where the dark, chocolate‐colored mare stood docile while she hooked it onto its halter. Luggage, boxes, bags of grain and tack all neatly stacked and tied down with bungee cords filled the right side of the trailer. “Cutting horse?” Jane shook her head. She lifted the wipe board and scribbled one word. Barrel. “Ah, Valisa is a barrel racer.” Jane nodded. “How about you? You perform?” She shook her head and backed Godiva out with a few clicks of her tongue, then handed him the rope. She went back to the far corner of the other side and peered into a medium‐sized pet crate. He could hear the soft whir of a fan; the little box was air‐conditioned. She stuck her finger through the bars and made a soft whistling sound. Dan couldn’t see what was inside. “We’ve got a few dogs running around, but if yours is friendly, you can let her out.” Jane flashed him a smile but shook her head. She wrote, Not a dog, on her board, but didn’t bother to enlighten him as to what it might be. She picked up a small bag of grain. As she came toward him, he couldn’t help noticing how her shirt stretched across rather ample breasts. She had nice curves all the way around. Flared hips, an almost flat stomach inside the slightly loose blue jeans. Jane removed the pink—why should he be surprised?—shin guards from Godiva’s legs and then checked the mare over for any sign of injury. Seemingly satisfied, she patted the horse’s neck and took the lead rope, then waited for him to pick up the bag of grain. He smiled to himself and lifted it, tucking it under one arm, then took her wipe board from beneath her arm. “Do you know sign language?” he asked. She nodded.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “You don’t have to write, then. I know sign. My mother was deaf.” Her eyes brightened and she smiled. “Oh that’s wonderful,” she signed. “Not that your mother was deaf, but that…” She paused, dropped her hands and shrugged, then turned back to the horse. “What?” He touched her shoulder. She jerked away from him and turned to look at him with eyes wide and filled with worry. “What’s wrong?” She shook her head and bit her full bottom lip between straight white teeth. “Nothing,” she signed, then headed toward the horse barn on the other side of the ranch yard. Yep, real nice curves, he decided as he watched her butt sway slightly with each step. He wondered about the limp, though. She almost hobbled, her right leg stiff. He laid the little wipe board on the back of the trailer, then caught up to her in a couple of strides. “Bobby said he met Valisa at the Helena rodeo last week. Do you attend all the rodeos with her?” Jane nodded. “I’m her manager,” she signed. “Ah.” They walked into the cooler interior of the barn and he held open a stall gate. Jane led the horse inside and unclipped the lead rope, then pulled the halter off and scratched Godiva’s nose and between her ears. She had nice long fingers, Dan noticed. Short clipped nails. She made a soft whispery sound between her lips at the horse, and Godiva pricked her ears and nuzzled against her chest. Jane pulled something from her shirt pocket and fed it to Godiva. A sugar cube, he saw, and grinned. “And her trainer as well?” he ventured. Jane nodded. The brains behind the beauty, he thought with a frown. Jane was pretty in her own way. Definitely more his type than the powder puff sister. He slashed his hands through his hair and turned to retrieve some water. He had no business noticing Jane’s sexy curves or her big, beautiful eyes. He had no business getting these protective feelings toward a
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella woman he met less than fifteen minutes ago. Not his business if she did all the work while her sister got all the glory. Either Valisa was a pretty good barrel racer, or someone had a lot of money to spend on that brand new pink truck, Bigfoot camper and Logan Coach horse trailer. He dumped a scoop of grain in the small feed bin that hung from the side of the stall and then stuck the hose in the water trough. Jane smiled at him, and damned if she didn’t just light up. “Thank you,” she signed. With one more pat to Godiva’s neck, she walked out of the stall, then shut and latched the door. At the end of the barn, she stopped at the industrial sink and washed her hands with the harsh soap from the tub kept on the ledge, and then dried them on her thighs. Nope, this wasn’t some piece of fluff. She was used to work. “Hungry?” he asked as they walked down the aisle between a dozen filled stalls. She nodded. “Great. The ribs should be done.” He wondered why she reacted the way she had. For just an instant, she seemed thrilled that he understood sign language, but something had extinguished the smile. Then there was her reaction when he touched her. Not fear exactly, but she obviously didn’t want to be touched. And now she walked with her shoulders back and her limp pronounced, not looking at him at all. * * * * * Jana let Dan lead her into the throng of people, most now sitting at the half‐dozen picnic tables eating. He introduced her to a couple of women. Barb was Carl’s wife, and Kelly was Jason’s. Jason, he explained, was Carl’s brother and co‐owner of the Rocky Basin. Barb worked on the ranch, but Kelly was a registered nurse who worked in the clinic in Adobe Grande, the nearest town, not much more than a pit stop along Highway 87.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella The third time he introduced her as Jane, she touched his arm to get his attention and spelled out J‐A‐N‐A in sign. “Oh, sorry,” Dan said. “I thought Bobby said Jane.” She pressed her lips together and cast a glance over at Valisa and Bobby sitting together under a tree sharing a plate of food. “He did say Jane,” she signed. Dan scowled. “Come on, Jana, let’s get some grub.” For just an instant his hand settled on her back as he pointed her toward the barbeque pit, and she fought off the urge to jerk away from the touch. Then his hand was gone, and she hated that she missed it. No one touched her. Ever. Not since the crash had one person—other than the numerous doctors and nurses—touched her in any sign of kindness. She shoved her hands in her pockets. This handsome young man wouldn’t be touching her, either, if he knew what lay beneath her clothes. She had no business wishing that he would do it again. She hated that she jumped away from him earlier but it was so unexpected, the touch startled her. Dan picked up a paper plate, slipped it into a wicker holder, and handed it to her. The table was laden with plates of succulent looking beef ribs, salads of all kinds and colors, fresh fruit, chips, and at the end were the buckets of cold drinks. She worked her way down the table, loading her plate with food. Her stomach growled and behind her, Dan chuckled. The sound was sweet, and more than a little sexy. She sighed and wondered what she was doing. Why she was entertaining thoughts she banished a decade ago. He was sweet, no doubt about it, and a true gentleman. She glanced over at Val and Bobby under the tree as they kissed between sharing bites of food from a single plate. From what she’d seen of Bobby at the Helena rodeo, he wasn’t a gentleman. Of course, Val was more than willing and always available— even for the hound dogs. Then again, she wouldn’t mind if a hound dog showed a bit of interest in her. If anyone showed some interest. But that was not to be.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Beer, wine cooler or cola?” Dan asked as they reached the end of the table. She spelled out “cola” with her free hand. He reached into one of the buckets and pulled out two cans, then motioned with them to a small round table under a tree a ways away from the crowd. She was glad she didn’t have to sit with a group of people and try to make small talk. Something that was near impossible for her, anyway. Dan sat down across from her and grinned. “I love a woman with a healthy appetite.” Then he winked. She couldn’t stop the smile that spread over her face. There was no denying that she enjoyed his attention, having never been one to lie to herself. But she had no business letting herself feel anything for the man. Besides, he was way too young for her, even if she was the type to entertain thoughts of men—which she wasn’t. They dug into their food with gusto. The beef was fork tender, the sauce just spicy enough. The pasta salad was tangy and the fruit succulent. Conversation carried to them from the other people, but she ignored it. She preferred the sound of the gentle breeze rustling the leaves overhead, and the crickets that had started chirping as darkness fell. Dan sat back and wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. A light from the front of the nearby house sent his face into shadow, but his rich dark hair shone with glints of gold. He lifted his can and drank down his cola. Jana wiped her own mouth and sipped her soda. “So, what did you think? Jason does this once a week for the guests.” He shook his head and his teeth flashed white in the dim light. “Never get tired of his barbeque.” She raised her hands from her lap and slowly signed, “It was delicious.” Dan stared at her for a few long moments before he pushed his plate to the center of the table and leaned over on his elbows. “Okay, I’m going to be nosy. Why do you act like you shouldn’t be signing?” Heat infused her cheeks and she looked away. “Hey,” Dan said, his voice low. “It’s okay. I was just wondering…”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She cut him off with a shake of her head then signed, “It embarrasses Valisa.” Dan’s gaze cut over to where Val sat with Bobby, and his brow furrowed. He was silent for a long moment and then sighed. “Sorry to be blunt, but that’s about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” Jana nodded. She agreed. But Val was her responsibility. And if Val wasn’t happy, Dad wasn’t happy. Then all hell broke lose. She looked into Dan’s face and could see he had more questions, but he remained silent, thank goodness. Explaining her relationship with her sister was difficult under the best circumstances. Right now Jana was feeling so put out over being dragged halfway across the state so that Val could get her groove on with a cowboy, she truly didn’t think anything that she said would sound very loving. Above all else, she did love her little sister.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella
Chapter Two “Oh, Bobby!” “Mmm, Val. You are so hot. Yeah, baby. You know how I like it.” Thump, thump, thump. “Oh!” Dan threw back the covers and grabbed his jeans off the floor. For crying out loud. Those two had been going at it like rabbits for the last hour and a half. He needed to ask Jason if there was any way to put some insulation in the walls between the bedrooms. He slipped his feet into his boots, grabbed a cola from the fridge in the kitchen, then went outside to get away from the sounds of lust. Dropping onto the top step of the porch, he twisted the top off the bottle. He didn’t have anything against lust. It was a healthy human emotion. But he had to be up at six in the morning. Besides, it wasn’t like he was getting any. He didn’t exactly need a very vocal reminder of how long he’d gone without sharing a bed with a warm, willing woman. Since a woman cried out his name in the throes of passion. His gaze went to the Pepto Bismol pink truck and camper sitting under one of the halogen yard lights. Not many women struck his fancy, he admitted to himself as he took a long pull off of the bottle of cola. Long‐ term relationships were totally out of the question right now, and Jana seemed like a long‐term type gal.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Not that he had any reason to believe that. Her sister obviously wasn’t into deep relationships. Bobby didn’t do long‐term, and he was nothing if not honest with the women he slept with. In a few days, he would get bored with Valisa, and then the Kincaid sisters would move on. But there was something about Jana that shouted marriage and children and happily ever after. She would make a spectacular ranch wife. She knew her horses and wasn’t afraid of hard work. She was something…special. Dan couldn’t even think of marriage and ever after. It wasn’t in the cards for him. Not for another five years. As he finished off his cola, the back door on the pink camper opened and Jana carefully walked down the steps, grabbing hold of the handle near the door. When she stepped on the ground, she leaned over slightly and rubbed her right thigh. Again, he wondered about the limp. About the scar on her face. What had happened to her? Farming accident? Those were common enough. She reached back into the camper and lifted out a lump of something. In the dim light, he couldn’t tell what it was. She bent and set it on the ground. He could see she held a leash. He frowned and squinted at the lump. It moved. She was right— that thing sure as hell wasn’t a dog. Jana’s limp seemed even more pronounced now as she moved toward the grass of the lawn by the main house. The lump ambled along beside her. It was about the size of a bowling ball, and he could pick out the head. A tail almost as long as its body dragged behind. What the hell…? He set down his cola, pushed off the stairs, and started across the yard. Jana turned at the sound of gravel crunching under his boots. She smiled at him as he drew closer. In the halogen lights overhead, her skin was very pale. Even the darkness couldn’t hide the lines of fatigue and possibly pain etched beside her full, luscious‐looking mouth. “Okay,” he said. “I give. What the hell is that?” Her laugh was silent and breathy, but her eyes crinkled and her straight white teeth flashed. “A woodchuck,” she signed.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He frowned down at the furry bundle as it ambled over the lawn, sticking its pointy nose into the grass, sniffing and snuffling. “As in, ‘How much wood can a woodchuck chuck?’” Her breathy, voiceless laugh was a sexy sound. He grinned at her, and she nodded. “What’s it doing?” “Looking for bugs,” she signed. “Not that it’ll do her much good.” “Why’s that?” “She has no teeth.” He wrinkled his brow. Jana went on signing in fluid hand motions. “We were at a rodeo near Denver a few years ago, and I caught some boys throwing firecrackers at her. She’d obviously been hand fed, and didn’t know the danger. She grabbed on, probably thinking it was food, and it exploded in her mouth.” “Sonofabitch.” Jana nodded and stared down at the giant rodent. “She was hurt and so scared. I wanted to beat those boys.” “So you rescued her,” Dan said, and Jana nodded. Commendable, he thought, and very sweet. Bending over, she made a kissy sound with her lips, and the woodchuck turned and ambled to her. She picked it up, then held it out to him. “You want me to hold it?” “Her,” Jana signed, one‐handed. “R‐O‐C‐K‐Y.” “You named a female Rocky?” He chuckled and held out his arms. Jana laid Rocky in his arms, on its back, just like a baby, then scratched Rocky’s belly. Heavier than he thought it would be, probably around eight pounds or so, it sighed as if perfectly contented and dropped its head back over his arm. Its fur was course against his bare chest. He adjusted his arms to cradle it in the crook of his elbow, and joined Jana in scratching its belly.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella It groaned as if in bliss, making Dan laugh. “I thought it was illegal to own a wild animal.” Jana shrugged. “Are you going to tell on me?” she signed with a cheeky grin. “No ma’am, not me.” Rocky sat up and turned toward his chest. Startled, Dan almost dropped her. Jana made that breathy laugh sound again. The rodent leaned up and scrambled up his chest, its blunt nails digging into his flesh, and Dan sucked in his breath. But then he laughed as Rocky buried her nose behind his ear and sniffed, tickling him. “She likes you,” Jana signed. “She doesn’t snuggle with anyone but me.” Snuggle? Yeah, he supposed Rocky was cuddling. Her little claws dug into his shoulders on either side of his neck, and her nose stayed planted behind his ear. What the hell. This was kind of cool. “So, if she can’t eat the bugs she’s looking for, what do you feed her?” “Are you sure you want to know?” He chuckled and adjusted his arms again, holding Rocky’s rump on his arm, as he would a child. The only difference was that Rocky had some nasty nails that were digging into him. He should have put on a shirt. “Try me. I’m a big tough cowboy.” She grinned and signed, “Mealworms for protein, cooked into a mush with grain and sprouts.” “Mmm. Sounds tasty.” She laughed again, and he grinned. Covering her mouth with the back of her hand, she yawned. “I think I need to go to bed,” she signed. He nodded and leaned over to hand Rocky back to her, but the creature dug its nails into his shoulders and buried its nose harder against his neck. Jana’s mossy eyes danced with humor as she signed, “I think she’s in love. She doesn’t meet many men.” “Ah well, I’ve always had luck with the ladies,” he teased with a wink.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Jana reached for Rocky, making those cute little kissy sounds. The backs of her fingers rubbed against his chest as she wrapped her hands around Rocky’s middle. He sucked in his breath at the unexpected, completely pleasurable contact. She stopped moving and stared up at him. Her mouth slightly open, her tongue peeked out to flick over her bottom lip, and all he could think about was leaning over and kissing those full, pretty lips. She practically snatched Rocky from his arms, and then turned away and hurried toward her camper. He wanted to go after her, pull her into his arms and kiss her. Ask her why she seemed afraid whenever any physical contact happened between them. Did she find him repulsive? Did she not like men? She pulled open the door to the camper and set Rocky inside, then slowly, carefully climbed the steps, as if it hurt her to do so. She reached for the door to close it, but stopped and looked at him for a moment. Then she slowly signed, “Goodnight,” before grabbing the doorknob and pulling the door shut behind her. * * * * * Jana’s heart thudded like a timpani band. She lifted Rocky onto the bed and sat down next to her, then reached behind her and turned on the little lamp over the bed. Threading her hand through the woodchuck’s course hair, she took comfort in her pet’s closeness and calm. Rocky laid her head on Jana’s lap and sighed. Dan had looked at her so intently with those dark eyes. His gaze dropped to her lips, and she was so sure he was about to kiss her. She’d wanted him to—more than she wanted for anything in a very long time. That’s why she ran. She had no business wanting kisses from any man at all, let alone a sexy, too‐young cowboy she didn’t even know. Who didn’t know anything about her. Her life couldn’t include men. She made peace with that years ago.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella After another pat on Rocky’s head, she reached up, untied the bandana from around her neck, and ran her fingers over the jagged scar that ran across her throat. The wound, which had sliced her vocal cords, rendered her mute. Leaning across the narrow aisle, she pulled open the door to the miniscule bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror on the back of it. With slow, deliberate motions, she unbuttoned her shirt, revealing the spider web of scars running over her chest, her side, her belly. She bit her lip as she pulled the shirt from her jeans and shrugged it off. No, she told herself. No man would want to see this. Though the scars had faded to a faint pink over the last decade, they were still obvious. Would always be obvious. Even in pitch darkness, anyone who touched her flesh would feel it. She pushed to her feet, unbuckled her belt, and let the jeans pool at her feet. And there it was, she thought. The metal and plastic of her prosthetic leg. Sitting back down, she pulled off her boots and dropped her jeans on the floor, then removed her prosthetic and laid it on the shelf below the window over the convertible table/bed. She ran her hands over the ache in her right thigh and sucked in a deep breath before looking back at her reflection in the mirror. She had come to terms with her body over the years. Lucky to be alive, she told herself on a daily basis. The same thing she heard repeatedly from her doctors. Lucky to be alive. She shook her head, lay down on the bed, and flipped off the light. What was so lucky about her life? she wondered as she snuggled up against Rocky and held her best friend close. What did she have to show for surviving that crash? A sister who resented her. A father who blamed her. A life that wasn’t even her own. Rocky snuggled her wet little nose into the crook of Jana’s neck and sighed in contentment. She had Rocky, Jana told herself. She had Rocky, and Godiva needed her care, too. Her father relied on her to oversee Valisa’s training and to keep her on schedule. She was needed. Loneliness was the price she paid for what she’d done.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella * * * * * “Where’s Rocky?” Dan asked the next evening as he stepped up to Jana’s side to watch Valisa run the circuit between the barrels set up inside the paddock behind the stables. “Sleeping,” Jana signed, her gaze never wavering from her sister. “She’s nocturnal.” She clicked off the stopwatch when Valisa completed the turn. Jana shook her head and made a face as she stared at the numbers on the watch. “What’s the matter?” Jana shrugged. “Her time is way off. She’s being lazy. And Godiva is slacking because Val is.” Probably because Val was up all night with Bobby. Dan rubbed his eyes, feeling his own tiredness. Those two had gone at it so far into the night, Dan had finally grabbed a blanket and bedded down in the hayloft of the barn. He preferred the soothing sounds of animals at rest over the animalistic mating ritual going on next door to his bedroom. If he heard “Oh, Bobby” one more time, he might just go insane. “I think she was up too late last night,” Jana signed, and then sighed. “She has no self‐discipline.” Dan chuckled. Wasn’t that the understatement of the century? “I think you might be right.” He couldn’t figure out how Bobby could act so bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning when six o’clock rolled around. The man couldn’t have gotten more than a couple hours of sleep, yet he was raring to go as usual. He supposed that was why Carl didn’t care if he had sleepovers. “How’d I do?” Valisa asked as she rode Godiva up to the fence and looked at Jana. Jana scribbled on her wipe board, while Dan read over her shoulder. You haven’t ridden this bad since you were twelve. Valisa huffed and glared at her sister. “I told you I was too tired to do this.” She dismounted and stomped away, leaving Godiva standing on the other side of the paddock fence looking a little confused.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Jana’s face reddened a bit, and her jaw flexed a couple times before she let out a slow breath and reached through the wooden slats for Godiva’s reins. “I’ll take her,” Dan said, wondering why the hell Jana put up with that spoiled little brat. Wondering why that little brat made Jana write on that damn board instead of learning to sign. If Jana had perfected the language as well as she had, spoke it with smooth, flowing gestures of someone experienced, then she used it long enough for Valisa to have learned it long ago. “Thank you,” Jana signed. Dan climbed over the wooden fence, knowing Jana might not be able to with her bum leg, took Godiva’s reins, and led her toward the barn. Why wasn’t he surprised when Jana met him there? While he removed the mare’s saddle, Jana scooped out some grain and grabbed the water hose to fill the trough. “Is she always like this?” Dan asked, the words slipping out before he could stop them. He bit his tongue. None of his business. Jana shrugged and led Godiva into her stall, then picked up the curry brush and set to work giving Godiva a good rub down. The horse was docile and looked a little lazy with her eyes half closed, as if Jana’s touch with the brush took her to heaven. But the mare could really move out on the field. He couldn’t help but be impressed with Valisa’s skill, even if Jana said her timing was off today. “Want me to check her feet?” “Sure,” Jana signed. Dan checked Godiva’s back feet first, using a pick to clean them, then moved to the front. As he passed Jana, his chest rubbed against her back, and for the first time he realized how good she smelled. Above the scent of horse, he picked up something womanly and musky‐sweet. He wanted to bury his nose in the back of her neck the way Rocky had to him. Jana jerked at the contact, startling Godiva. She made a shushing sound and patted the horse’s neck. Other than that, Jana didn’t acknowledge the touch.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Stupid idiot, Dan chided himself. No sniffing pretty women. Okay, so the touch hadn’t been completely unintentional. He wanted to get close to her. There was something so sweet about her. He remembered the look on her face last night when he thought about kissing her, as if she knew what he was thinking. Then she had hightailed it away from him as fast as her bum leg could carry her. He finished with the horse’s hooves and stood up. “It’s about time for grub. Will you be joining us? With the guests gone, Barb puts out all the leftovers from the Saturday night party.” Jana didn’t look at him as she nodded. She rubbed her hand over her belly, the sign for hungry, and he wondered if she’d eaten at all today. Damn it, not my concern, he chided himself. “Well, come on. You can come over to the house and clean up if you want.” She shook her head and signed, “Camper.” He sighed, hating that he was disappointed that she didn’t want to come to his place. * * * * * Jana washed her face and hands in the sink in the camper, then tied a clean bandana around her neck. She tucked a few loose strands of hair into her ponytail and then checked on Rocky who was still sleeping. She was starving, but hated to wade into the throng of Rocky Basin residents to get food. She had a bowl of cereal for breakfast, and unless she wanted the same for supper or to be forced to share Rocky’s grub, she had no choice but to face the crowd. After checking her reflection in the bathroom mirror to make sure she didn’t have any major stains on her shirt or pants, she went out to face the firing squad, grabbing her wipe board on the way. Everyone was gathered at the picnic tables again. Last night Dan had told her that Jason ran the guesthouse, which catered to mostly retirees wanting to get away from real life for a week. Jason also took care of the livestock near the house, while Carl, Bobby, Dan and a few non‐
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella live‐in hired hands dealt with the cattle spread over the several thousand acres of grazing land they owned. “Hey, Jana,” Carl’s wife Barb said when she spotted her nearing the group. “Grab a plate before it’s gone.” Barb handed her a paper plate in the wicker holder, then pointed at the table. “Barbequed pulled beef and buns for sandwiches, and salads and stuff. Are you comfortable staying in your camper? We have a room behind the kitchen you’re welcome to use.” Jana lifted her board, balancing it on the plate. I’m fine, thank you for the offer. “Okay,” Barb said. “But just remember you’re welcome if you want it, or you can come in and use the shower and stuff.” She swiped her forearm over the board to clear the writing. Shower in the camper. But thank you. Barb smiled. “You can come over for coffee sometime, too, if you like.” Jana found her first smile in what felt like all day. She underlined the thank you she’d already written. The people of the Rocky Basin all seemed very nice, and she knew she had no call to want to avoid them. Perhaps it was her irrational attraction to Dan. She wished she could completely avoid him for the rest of her stay. When his big, hard body had brushed against hers in the barn, she would have moaned if she had a voice. She’d wanted to turn and bury her face against the front of his shirt and breathe in his masculine scent. To feel those thick arms wrapped around her. Why him? Why now? she wondered as she built a barbeque sandwich. It wasn’t like he was the first male she communicated with in the last decade. She may have lived like a nun when it came to the bedroom, but she had learned to deal with the male population as a whole. Besides, it wasn’t like any man normally gave her more than a passing glance because Val was always there in the spotlight. Next to Val, Jana felt like a big, deformed ogre. The one scar that she couldn’t hide on her face was enough to turn any normal man off.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella So why had Dan looked at her the way he had last night? Why did he seek her out this afternoon to chat and help her with Godiva? Why wasn’t he panting over her sister like every other heterosexual male she’d ever met? “Hey, Jana.” She looked up from dishing salad onto her plate to see Dan at a table with Carl and a few cowboys she hadn’t yet met. “Saved you a spot.” She picked a can of cola from the ice bucket and walked over to the table. Dan scooted over some, and she squeezed between him and another exceptionally large man. “Jana,” Dan said, “this is Phil.” He gestured toward the older gentleman seated on the other side of her. Then he pointed to the blond man across from them. “Thatʹs Terry, and this is Jake.” The last man introduced was an African American with skin the color of smooth dark chocolate. She smiled and wrote, Nice to meet you all. “Likewise, ma’am,” Terry said giving her a polite nod. “That’s one fine piece of horseflesh you got there. How long have you had her?” Jana started to write, but Dan laid his hand over hers for an instant. “You can sign. I’ll translate.” She bit her lip and looked around for Val. Her sister was nowhere in sight, and neither was Bobby. They were probably off boinking again. Val had gone on for a half hour that morning about what a stud Bobby was. “We’ve had her five years,” she signed, and Dan translated. “Got her when she was yearling.” Jake spoke up. “She from a known breeder?” “The Mackenzie Ranch near Colorado Springs.” “I know Jud Mackenzie,” Phil said between bites of his sandwich. “They run a right good outfit. Never seen finer stock than they have.” Jana nodded and smiled. “When Val’s last mare went lame, we started looking for another horse for her competitions. We used a loaner
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella from the Mackenzie’s until Godiva was old enough to start harness training. She’s been a champion for the past two years.” “Well, you done a fine job with her. Dan says you trained her.” Then he chuckled as if he’d made a joke. She turned toward Dan to see him scowling at Terry. “Sorry, ma’am,” Terry said, then forked some macaroni salad into his mouth. Dan leaned over and whispered in her ear, “They don’t think much of Val. She was hanging around all the guys this morning, making a general nuisance of herself.” Ignoring the shiver of pleasure Dan’s warm breath sent rocketing through her body, Jana rolled her eyes. “I apologize for her,” she signed. “She knows better.” “No need to apologize. You’re not her keeper.” Oh, if that were only the truth, she thought as she spread her paper napkin on her lap and lifted her fork. Sometimes she wished for a miracle to happen so that she didn’t have to be Val’s keeper.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella
Chapter Three “What is with that little witch?” Dan glanced over at the argument he was trying hard to ignore, then looked back at Phil who stood on the other side of the corral fence holding a board that Dan was nailing into place. “She’s a spoiled little brat who should’ve been turned over someone’s knee a long time ago.” “I don’t feel like practicing today,” Valisa screeched at Jana. They’d been arguing for a good ten minutes, Valisa sounding exactly like a spoiled brat. She even stomped her foot a couple of times, her arms folded over her middle, her face distorted in an unbecoming pout. Jana scribbled on her wipe board and held it up. “Go to hell, Jana. I don’t have to train if I don’t want to. I don’t give a damn if the next competition is a week away. I’m on vacation!” “Wonder how she ever got those blue ribbons,” Phil commented as he lifted another board into place. “Must be one damn fine mare she’s got, since the horse obviously does all the work.” “It is a good horse,” Dan said, and hammered in the next nail. Phil chuckled. “Wonder how someone as sweet as Jana puts up with her.” Dan shrugged. He’d spent the last two days wondering the same damn thing. Then again, family bonds ran real deep. He would be the first to admit that. Knew it all too well.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Leave me alone,” Valisa shouted. “You’re not my mother. You killed my mother, remember?” Dan’s head snapped up at that. Oh, shit. He watched Jana stagger back, her hand covering her stomach as if a horse had just kicked her, and then she fell, landing on her butt on the gravel drive. He vaulted the fence and ran for her. * * * * * Jana sat in the dirt and stared up at Valisa in horror. Her stomach turned, and she thought she might be sick. “Jana,” Valisa said, moving toward her, her face pale, big tears sparkling in her eyes. Jana held up her hand to ward her off. “Don’t,” she mouthed. God, please, don’t say another word. Her stomach heaved and she covered her mouth, afraid she would vomit. A pair of cowboy boots skidded to a halt next to her, but she refused to look up, knowing that Dan was there. Oh, dear God, he’d heard Valisa. The whole damn world had probably heard her throw her sins in her face. Dan crouched down and touched her shoulder. She jerked away, rolled to her side and tried to push to her feet, but her good leg gave out on her. It was shaking so much she couldn’t get up. Big, warm hands slipped under her arms and helped her to stand. “Hey, sweetheart,” Dan whispered in her ear as he held her back to his front, his hands on her shoulders. “It’s okay.” She shook her head and fought the sickness swamping her. She gagged. “Jana, I’m sorry,” Valisa said in a soft, pleading voice. Jana didn’t believe her. She knew her sister could be a bitch, but this went too far. Cut too deep. Even if it was the truth. Shaking off Dan’s comforting touch, she headed toward the camper. He paced beside her, and she wished he would just go away.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Leave her the hell alone. Wished everyone would leave her alone. Her father, her sister, her damn memories of that awful night. “Jana,” he said in that deep, soft voice. “Sweetheart, are you okay?” She nodded but stared at the ground as she walked, not wanting him to see the guilt in her eyes, on her face. It was nice…for a little while. The attention from him. But now he knew what she’d done. Now he would look at her the way her father looked at her. With disgust and contempt. His hand settled on her lower back when they reached the camper. “Hey.” She shook her head, stared at the ball hitch on the back of the truck. “Please just leave me alone,” she signed. “Valisa is right. I killed my mother.” And then she opened the door and pulled herself into the camper. “Jana—” She shut the door and flipped the lock, not trusting him or anyone else to stay out. She didn’t want to see anyone. How many people had heard? Her stomach heaved. She ripped open the door to the tiny bathroom and vomited in the toilet. Damn Val, she thought as she staggered back and plopped down on the bed. And damn herself. She lay back and willed her stomach to settle. Was she truly meant to be punished for her sins for eternity? * * * * * Through the thin wall of the camper, Dan could hear her retching, and his heart tore for her. He turned to find Valisa standing nearby, fat crocodile tears rolling down her cheeks. He sneered, wishing he could put the little trollop in her place. Knowing he had no right to do so. “I didn’t mean it,” she whispered. “No?” he asked, keeping his voice low. “Then what did you mean?” “I— I didn’t mean it. I swear. It was an accident.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He curled his lip in disgust. “If you had one shred of decency—” He cut himself off. Not my business, he reminded himself for the umpteenth time. He glanced at the gawd awful pink camper and wanted to be in there with Jana, making sure she was all right. Screw it, he thought as he turned back to Valisa. “She’s too good to be taking care of your sorry ass,” he said, then stalked toward the corral where Phil was still nailing boards. It was killing him to know what she meant by she killed her mother, but now obviously wasn’t the time to delve into that. He refused to ask Valisa. Wanted Jana’s own explanation. Somehow, he couldn’t imagine that she murdered her mother. God, he couldn’t imagine her doing something like that. * * * * * Well after midnight, Rocky’s incessant noisemaking woke Jana from an exhausted sleep. Rocky paced back and forth on the ledge under the window, making her loud chatter of distress. Jana reached for her. The animal’s body vibrated with fear. She pushed up on her elbow and flipped back the curtain to look outside. Probably just some coyotes in the area, she thought, but couldn’t see anything beyond the circle of light cast by the yard lamps. She tried snuggling Rocky against her, but the woodchuck wouldn’t settle. She jumped back on the ledge and continued her pacing. Then Rocky stopped moving and fell silent. In that brief moment, Jana heard the distressed scream of a horse and the ranch dogs barking like mad. Pushing up again, Jana reached for her prosthetic and strapped it on, then pulled on jeans and a shirt and crammed her feet into her boots. She was reaching for the doorknob when the crack of a rifle shot pierced the air, making her jump. She heard men shouting. Opening the door a bit, she peeked out. In the far corral beyond the barn, she saw movement and three more rifle shots were fired. Horses whinnied and screamed in distress. A dog yelped.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Let ’em go,” someone shouted. “They’ll calm on their own.” Jana climbed down the stairs and looked around for any sign of danger. On ground level, she couldn’t see the men any longer. The only sound left was the terrified whinnies of horses. She headed toward the corral, her thigh throbbing painfully, her limp more pronounced. She hadn’t needed painkillers in over a week and wasn’t sure why it started hurting now, since she did nothing all day to strain the muscles. As she neared the corral, she saw Carl, Dan, Jason and Bobby standing together, staring at something. When she reached the fence, she saw that it was a horse. A black beauty of a mare she’d seen Dan tending. It was flailing in the dirt, kicking up dust, and making a horrible, pain‐ filled sound. When she looked back at the men, Dan was shouldering a rifle, taking aim at the injured animal. Her heart wrenched. She didn’t know what was wrong with the mare, but she was still fighting. Her spirit hadn’t broken yet. Was there a chance? Jana looked down the fence for the gate, but it was too far away. She would never make it. Gripping the top wooden slat, she heaved herself up, then over, landing in the dirt with a thud on her butt. She grabbed the rough wood and jerked herself to her feet, then turned to make a run for Dan. He was lowering the rifle, his head shaking, handing it to Carl. As she drew near, hobble‐running the best she could, she heard Dan say, “I just can’t do it.” “It’s okay, son,” Carl said, then raised the rifle. No! She tried screaming to no avail, momentarily forgetting she had no voice. Carl cocked the lever, took aim. Dan turned away, turned toward her. “Jana—” He made a grab for her, but she pushed past him and into Carl. The rifle fired, the shot going wide, missing the mare. “Jana!” Carl glared down at her. She shook her head. The horse screamed in pain.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella The mare lay on its side, legs flailing in weak attempt to raise itself. She made a wide circle around the horse, avoiding its deadly hooves. “Jana, watch out!” Dan grabbed her arm, but she pulled free and knelt next to the horse’s neck. “Woman, what in blazes—” She ignored Carl’s curses and wrapped her arm around the head, covering the horse’s eyes, and whispered shushing sounds in her ear. Reaching around the mare’s head, she grabbed her upper lip, and squeezed hard, twitching it to release natural endorphins. The mare immediately calmed, though she panted, groaned, and bared her teeth. Teeth that could do a lot of damage if Jana wasn’t careful. “Jana, what are you doing?” Dan demanded, standing over her, looking as though he wanted to protect her from the horse. “She has to be put down.” Unable to use her hands, she carefully mouthed, “Tranquilizer.” Dan shook his head, his brow furrowing in confusion. She huffed out a breath and motioned with her head for him to come down next to her. He did so. She motioned again and mouthed, “Eyes.” He carefully reached around her and using his hands, shielded the horse’s eyes. Then she spelled out in sign language, T‐R‐A‐N‐Q. “She wants a tranquilizer,” Dan said to Carl. “I’ll get it,” Jason said, turning on his heel and jogging away. “Call vet,” she signed. “Sweetheart, Thunder will bleed to death before the vet arrives.” He raised his chin to indicate the horse’s side. “Her flank is ripped to shreds.” “Call vet,” she signed again. “Do it.” “He lives an hour away.” Jana could hear the anguish in Dan’s voice, the slight quaver, and her heart went out to him. She’d seen him working this young mare, and now realized she was special to him. “I can’t promise anything,” she signed, “but let me try. I might be able to help.” He shook his head, looking uncertain. “She’s suffering.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Jana nodded. “I know. I can’t look at the wound until she’s tranquilized.” He held her gaze a long moment, and she tried to convey to him that there was a chance. With the dust and the mare’s black coat, she couldn’t see how bad the wound was, but the horse was still fighting, so there was still hope. If she could just stop the bleeding until the vet arrived. “Okay,” he whispered. Jason came running across the corral. He slowed to walk as he neared then handed Jana the needle. She checked to make sure Dan had a good hold on Thunder’s head before she stuck the needle in the horse’s flank. The mare flinched but, within minutes, her breathing evened out and her muscles went slack. “I’ll get the tractor,” Carl said. “We’ll move her into the barn where there’s more light. Jason, call Thomas. And Bobby, get that carcass out of here.” The three men walked off and it wasn’t until then that Jana saw the big gray wolf lying just a few feet away from them. “Jana,” Dan said, releasing the mare’s head. “Her flank is shredded. She won’t be any good if she can’t walk.” Jana moved down the horse’s long body and examined the wound the best she could in the dim light cast by the yard lamps. Blood oozed, but it was slowing. She didn’t dare try to stop the flow until she cleaned it. Infection would set in too easily with just one tiny speck of dirt. “Sweetheart, she might be a lost cause.” The pain in Dan’s voice was evident and, when she glanced up at him, she saw him swipe at his eyes with his shirtsleeve. “I know,” she signed. “But I have to try.” “Why?” he asked, his voice soft. “How?” She bit her lip, wondering how much to say. Instead of admitting anything, she shook her head. “I’ll try to help her. For you.” The tractor fired up in the near distance. “She’s not a woodchuck, darlin’. She’s not a pet.” He may say that, Jana thought, but this mare was special to him. She could see it in the strained lines of his beautiful face. Thunder wasn’t
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella the horse he rode out to the fields to check on cattle, but this mare meant something to him. “I know,” she signed. “But I couldn’t let you put her down until I tried. She’s a beautiful horse.” Dan ran his long, blunt fingers over the mare’s nose, but didn’t say anything else. * * * * * Four hours later, Thomas, the local big animal vet, finished the layers of stitching on the horse’s flank. He had asked Jana to assist, and she couldn’t deny how good it felt to be doing what she loved. Thomas checked the sling that supported the mare in an upright position to keep the horse from going colic, and nodded with satisfaction. “You did one fine job on cleaning out the wound, Jana,” he said. “She may have a chance.” “Thank you,” she signed, and Dan interpreted. “Not much muscle damage. If she doesn’t get infected, I think she’ll make it.” He reached into his big black bag and withdrew a fat tube of ointment. After uncapping it, he spread it liberally over the wound. “There’s enough IV bags there to hold you over. Keep her under light sedation so she doesn’t move around for the next forty‐eight hours. Then we’ll see if that leg can take weight. If not…” He let his words trail off with a slight shrug. “I understand, Doc,” Dan said. If she couldn’t stand, she would have to be put down, Jana thought, and her heart ached for Dan. He hadn’t left her side since they dragged Thunder into the barn on a tarp. Thomas peeled off his rubber gloves. “Jana, pleasure working with you. If you’re ever looking for a job as an assistant, you give me a call.” He held out his hand to her. She smiled and jerked off her right rubber glove, then reached up from her position on the floor to shake his hand. How she would love to take him up on the offer. To be back doing what she always wanted to do.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Thomas shook Dan’s hand, then handed him the tube of ointment. “Three times a day with the cream. Make sure it stays clean. And good luck to you. Give me a call and let me know how she’s doing. If all goes well, I’ll drop out in about ten days to remove the stitches. “Thank you, Thom.” Dan walked the vet out of the barn. With the adrenaline gone, exhaustion and pain seared through Jana’s body. She’d been here on her knees for hours. Unsure if she would even be able to stand, she rolled to her butt and stretched out her legs. Her right thigh spasmed, and she sucked in her breath, gritting her teeth against the throbbing. Reaching up, she grabbed the highest rail of the stall she could reach and used all her upper body strength to pull herself upright. Her left leg even hurt, the muscles cramped from hours of non‐movement. How the hell was she going to make it to the camper? She stood, unmoving, waiting for the aches to subside. “Hey, sweetheart,” Dan said as he came back into the stall. “You okay?” She shook her head. Letting go with one hand, she signed, “Legs hurt.” “Ah, sweetheart,” he said in that low, soft voice as he came up along side of her and wrapped his arm around her. “Lean on me. I’ll help you.” She had no choice, so she let him take most of her weight. “Why don’t you come over to my cabin? You need a shower. You’re covered in blood.” She shook her head, grabbed hold of a handful of his shirt at his waist, and gripped his hand at her waist, needing the support as they moved down the aisle of the barn toward the door. “Stubborn woman,” he said, but she heard the smile in his voice. She looked up at him, their faces just inches apart as he gazed down at her. She grinned. If she wasn’t so stubborn, Thunder would be dead.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He stopped walking and his smile faded. “You have no idea how much what you did means to me. Thunder…” He shook his head. “She was the beginning of my future. If she…” Releasing his hand, she reached up and stroked his cheek, encouraging him to go on. “I want my own spread someday, Jana. Carl gave her to me when she was just a day old. Her mother died birthing her. She was so tiny and helpless. Carl never expected her to make it, but she did, and she’s one fine mare. Next year I was going to breed her. She’s healthy, solid stock, and her offspring would bring me good money. With her as the start to my herd, I…” A poor cowboy wanting a better life for himself. Jana ran her thumb over his stubbled cheek, the prickly whiskers tickling the pads of her fingers. You’ll do it, she thought, wishing like hell she could whisper the words to him. He was young and intelligent and— His mouth covered hers, stealing any thought she had. Her eyelids fluttered shut. His lips were soft and warm against hers, moving slow and tender. He shifted and faced her fully, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing her against his chest. She sighed and sank into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. His tongue slipped between her teeth and stroked hers with languid sensuality that sent a frisson of desire coursing through her. Ten long years since a man held her in his arms, since she felt the strong embrace, tasted a kiss. Her nipples puckered beneath her shirt at the light abrasion of his chest against hers. Breath caught in her throat, and she sifted her fingers through his soft hair. Big, warm hands traveled down her back. She shifted to get closer to him, to feel more of his glorious body. Her leg spasmed, the pain sucking the breath from her lungs. She jerked back, stumbling. Dan caught her, holding her up as she fought back the pain. “Sweetheart?” “Leg,” she mouthed and grabbed for her thigh. “Oh, God, I’m sorry.” In one smooth motion, he swooped her up, one arm behind her back, the other beneath her thighs.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She bit her lip at the pain shooting up her leg. “I’m sorry,” he said again as he strode out of the barn carrying her. The sun had risen and warmth soaked into her. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she knew shouldn’t be accepting this much from him, but was unable to deny herself the pleasure. He was so big and so strong and, for just a few moments, she wanted to revel in the feel of his arms, his musky, masculine scent as she buried her face against his neck. All too soon they reached the camper. “Do you need some help?” She shook her head and took one last deep breath of him. “Sweetheart, let me—” She shook her head and leaned back, then pushed lightly on his chest until he lowered her to her feet. Oh damn, she silently cried as her left leg now joined the other one in the muscle tightening. Clenching her teeth to keep the tears of pain in check, she reached for the doorknob. Her legs tried buckling beneath her, and she didn’t know how she was going to get herself up the stairs. Strong hands wrapped around her waist, and Dan lifted her up. She grabbed the handle by the doorframe and pulled herself in, then turned and signed, “Thank you.” But then her legs gave out, and she collapsed against the bed. Dan was up the steps and next to her in an instant. She warded him off with her hand and shook her head. When she managed to pull herself around to sit, she pointed toward the door. “Please go,” she signed. “Jana, you’re hurting. Let me help you.” Go! she wanted to shout. Get out and leave me be. I don’t want to you to see me this way. Instead, she signed, “I’m fine. Just need rest. Please, go.” Dan stood over her, and though she couldn’t bring herself to look into his gentle dark eyes, she could feel his gaze boring into her. “Jana…” “Please,” she signed, unable to fight the tears any longer. They stung her eyes, blurred her sight as she stared at the knees of his jeans. “Okay.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “But I don’t like it.” She nodded, accepting that. The gentleman in him wanted to help her, but she couldn’t stand the thought of him seeing her like this. She
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella wasn’t a weakling. She’d survived losing her leg…a little pain wasn’t going to turn her into a big baby. “Get some rest.” Again she nodded, and then he left, quietly shutting the door behind him. After she heard the crunch of the gravel under his boots as he walked away, she stripped off her clothes and boots and hobbled into the tiny bathroom that also served as a shower.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella
Chapter Four As Dan headed toward his cabin, Barb called to him from the porch of the big house. “I got some breakfast. Why don’t you and Jana come on up?” “Thanks,” he called back. “Be there in a couple minutes.” First he needed to shower. He hated leaving Jana alone when she was obviously in so much pain. She put on a brave front, but he hadn’t missed the sparkle of tears in her eyes, or the way she clung to him while he carried her across the yard. She was exhausted and hurting, and she shouldn’t be alone. He went into the cabin and stripped on his way to the bathroom. Huh, Bobby and Valisa were already up, he noticed when he passed the open door to Bobby’s empty bedroom. He didn’t think that woman got up before the crack of noon. After a quick shower, he dressed and headed to the big house. The scent of ham and cheese met him when he opened the door. His stomach growled. Damn, Jana had to be starving, too. He wondered if she had supper last night She hadn’t emerged from the camper after the episode with her sister. Jason, Carl, Bobby and Valisa sat at the long kitchen table eating. Barb stood in front of the stove frying more bacon. “If you wanna grab some Zs, boy,” Jason said, “I’ll keep an eye on Thunder.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Thanks,” Dan said as he took the plate of food Barb held out to him. “I much appreciate it. Doc left some IV bags that need to be changed every two hours.” Jason nodded then sipped his coffee. “No problem. That Jana’s one fine woman. I ain’t never seen anyone take over like that just to save an animal. Hell, practically throwing herself in front of that rifle so’s you didn’t shoot it.” He shook his head. “Yessir, if I wasn’t already married…” Carl chuckled. “Better not let Kelly hear you talk like that. But I do have to agree, she was ready to take us all on if we didn’t let her tend that mare.” Dan smiled as he forked the eggs and ham into his mouth while he stood by the counter. It was nice hearing that the other men appreciated Jana the way he did. Still no telling if Thunder would pull through, but Jana went beyond the call of duty—especially since she had no claim to the mare or even to the ranch. She was truly a fine woman, as Jason had said. Glancing at Valisa, Dan saw her frown as she stared down at her food. He wondered if she had any idea what a wonderful woman her sister was. Probably not, from the argument he overheard. She didn’t give a damn about her sister. Had no idea what kind of woman Jana was. He set his empty plate in the sink. “Barb, you mind if I take a plate out to Jana?” “Of course not, honey. I’ll make up a dish for her.” Barb set to work piling a plate with food, while he grabbed one of the dozen insulated cups from the cupboard and filled it with coffee for Jana. Barb handed him a heaping plate covered with a red and white checked cloth. “Poor woman must be exhausted.” He saw the sympathy in Barb’s eyes and realized talk of the argument from the day before had spread. Everyone had probably heard of it by now. Damn Valisa. As he headed back to the gawd awful pink camper, he shook his head. He understood sibling rivalry. Hell, he and his big sister had spent most of their childhood fighting like cat and dog, but there were some things that were not aired in public. Some arguments that should never be voiced in front of others. He, more than anyone, knew this.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He loved his sister more than she would ever know, even if she hadn’t spoken to him in more than seven years. Pain ripped through him at the thought. Seven long years with no contact from his family. He’d learned of his parents’ death from an old family friend while he was… Better not to think on it. It was the past. He had to live one day at a time, make it through the next few years, and then he would be free of his past. At least as much as his mind would let him be free. If Thunder survived, he’d still be on his way to gaining his dreams. He knocked on the camper door. He heard the trickle of water from inside and realized Jana must still be in the shower. Deciding to just slip in and leave the food for her, he turned the knob and pulled open the door. The sight that met him stopped him on the bottom step, and he felt as if his heart was ripped from his chest. Naked and wet, rivulets of water dripping down her chest from her hair, she sat on the floor of the camper, tears streaming down her pale cheeks as she grasped at her…stump. Oh, dear God. Scars crisscrossed her entire right side from her neck down to her thigh, just above where he knee should be. He saw her mouth form the word, “No,” as her face changed from pained agony to horror. She grabbed the quilt from the bed next to her and dragged it over her, covering herself. Rocky slid to the floor on the blanket, landing on her lap, and he knew if she had a voice, she would have screamed at the pain as her head fell back and her mouth opened. Setting up a distressed chatter, Rocky bounded into the dark cove beneath the bed. Pulled out of his shocked paralysis, Dan moved into the camper, carefully moved around Jana to set the plate and mug on the counter, and then lifted her off the floor. She shook her head and pressed at his shoulder, her breaths puffing out in harsh pants. “Shh, sweetheart. It’s all right.” He carefully set her on the bed. She snatched the blanket up to cover herself, and his heart cried for her. But then her hands went back to her thigh over the blanket, gripping
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella it. Even with the blanket over her, he could see the muscles jumping in spasm. “Let me,” he said, his voice none too steady as he tried to rein in his emotions and offer her the help she so desperately needed but wanted to refuse. She shook her head and pointed at the open door with one shaking hand. “No way in hell am I leaving you alone.” Sitting down on the edge of the small bed, he pushed the blanket away from her legs. She tried fighting him, but her strength was gone and her efforts weak. No, no, no, she mouthed while tears coursed down her cheeks, damp ropes of hair flailing about her face as she shook her head. Go away. She pointed at the door again. Please. He wrapped his fingers around her thigh and cringed when he felt the spasming muscles. “I’m not leaving, babe, so stop fighting me.” With gentle pressure, he found the biggest knot and lightly rubbed. Dipping her head forward, Jana buried her face in her hands. He wanted to hold her, to tell her everything was all right, but right now her leg needed his attention. Her flesh was cool and wet, and he hoped it was simply from the shower and not more serious like shock. The water still trickled in the tiny bathroom, the door open revealing the shower, toilet and miniscule sink. As one knot of muscles loosened, it seemed two more developed. Jana sucked in her breath when he moved to the next one, his hands nearly spanning her thigh. The pain she must be in, he thought as he worked over her leg with infinite care not to cause more agony than she must already be in. Jana’s breathing eventually slowed to a more normal pace, and she dropped her hands and looked at him. Mortified was the only way to describe her look. Pale from pain, even her lips that had always looked so pink and plump were a thin slash against her alabaster skin. But her eyes showed the depth of her sorrow, and he felt as if he bled for her. He swallowed back the lump in his throat. “Do you have something for the pain?”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She bit her lip and gave a slow nod, then pointed at a drawer under the small fridge. Her muscles were still knotted, but they weren’t spasming any longer, so he pulled away and tucked the blanket around her legs, then leaned over and pulled open the drawer. He shuffled through an array of vitamin bottles until he found a prescription bottle. “Vicodin,” he said, then let out a low whistle. As he opened the bottle, he asked, “Do you go through this often?” She shook her head. So it was his fault, he thought as guilt washed through him. She put herself in this predicament because she helped his mare…him. “One or two?” She held up one finger with a hand that still shook. He tapped out a pill, dropped the bottle back in the drawer, and pulled open the fridge. He found a bottle of water and opened it for her. “Thank you,” she signed before she downed the pill and half the water. Some trickled down her chin and he wiped it away with his thumb when she lowered the bottle. “I’m fine now,” she signed. “You can go.” He got up and shut off the water in the bathroom, then shook his head. “I brought some food from Barb. You should eat since you took such a heavy pain killer, or it could make you sick.” He reached over to the counter and brought down the plate. Removing the towel, he saw that Barb had even put a fork on the plate. “Quiche?” Jana signed, her eyebrow rising. He smiled. “Breakfast pie. Cowboys don’t eat quiche.” The left corner of her lips twitched, almost forming a smile, before her eyes filled once again and her chin wobbled as she fought back the tears. “Ah, babe,” he whispered. She shook her head and swiped her eyes with the back of her hand. God, he thought, she tried to be so damn tough. That lump returned to his throat. He’d never met a braver person. After cutting a bite of the quiche with the fork, he held it out to her. She looked him in the eyes for a long moment, then sighed and opened her mouth, obviously too tired to argue with him.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Halfway through the plate of food, she gasped and grabbed her leg again, tucking her bottom lip between her teeth, as if holding in a cry. Would it help if she could cry out? Scream? Shout at whatever misfortune had put her in this position? He set the plate on the counter and flipped back the quilt, then went back to work on her leg. She didn’t argue this time, just closed her eyes. But even with her eyelids lowered, the tears fell down her cheeks. “Lay back, sweetie.” He helped her scoot down in the bed a bit, and then he supported her back while she lay down against the pillows. “That’s it,” he whispered, then went back to work on her leg, determined not to stop until he worked all the knots out of her muscles and she relaxed. “It hasn’t been this bad in months,” she signed. “I’m sorry you had to see me this way.” “Shh. Close your eyes and try to relax.” She hid her disability well, he thought as he circled his thumbs over a hard knot on the inside of her thigh. Even though she couldn’t hide her limp, he’d had no idea she needed a prosthetic leg. The last two days he’d seen her working with Godiva, hauling hay for the mare, carrying buckets of water. She was tough, but she pushed too hard. Then she spent hours on her knees helping the vet sew up Thunder. Jana let out a shaky sigh, and his heart constricted. “Is the pill kicking in yet?” he asked. She nodded then yawned. “Does your other leg hurt at all?” She nodded again, and then held up thumb and forefinger to signify “a little.” He looked down at the scars webbing across her thigh from her hip. The pain she must have endured. He had a million questions for her, but knew she wasn’t in any kind of condition to talk about it. When he thought all the muscles in her right leg were loose, he pushed the blanket over and rubbed his fingers over her left thigh, then slipped his hands under her leg to test the backside. A little tight, but nothing like the right had been.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella As he carefully manipulated muscle, the man in him couldn’t help noticing how smooth her leg was, muscular. Long and shapely. Even her amputated limb, though it narrowed considerably before it ended, there was good muscle tone in it. He raised his gaze to the apex of her thighs. A curly thatch of dark brown curls hid her sex, but when he moved his hand to her inner thigh, he could feel her warmth. Her abdomen was flat, her hips flared. Her delicate skin, patterned with jagged, pale pink scars, made him want to shelter her, take care of her. Her breathing finally evened out and her muscles went lax beneath his hands. Glancing up, he saw that she was asleep, or at least very close to it. He withdrew his hands and covered her with the quilt. He stretched out next to her, propping himself on an elbow so he could look at her. Her skin was so pale and even relaxed, the pain‐etched lines were deep beside her mouth and her brow wrinkled in a slight frown. He would give anything to relieve her hurt. To take it upon himself and let her be at peace. He ran his finger over the frown between her brows. Her eyelids fluttered and slowly opened. “Feeling better?” he asked. She gave a slight nod. Leaning over, he touched his lips to her cheek, against the deep scar that ran across it. “Let me hold you, sweetheart,” he whispered in her ear. With a soft sigh, she moved a bit to lay her head against his shoulder, and then reached up and laid her hand over his heart. He shifted and cradled her against him, careful not to move her legs, afraid they would cramp again. “That’s it, babe,” he said, his voice low. “Let me take care of you.” Her hand on his chest fisted his T‐shirt. He felt her tense for a second, and then a silent sob shook her shoulders. Wrapping both arms around her, he whispered in her ear. “Shh, sweetie. Just relax and sleep. You’ll feel better when you wake up.” He rubbed his hand over her warm, bare back, the blanket tucked between them, covering her front.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Her tears wet his shirt but eventually, she relaxed and her sobs stopped, her body eased against his, and her breathing evened into sleep. Exhaustion had his own eyelids drooping. He toed off his boots then moved fully onto the narrow bed, tucking himself up next to her, careful of her legs. Just as he started drifting to sleep, she tensed and grabbed for her right thigh again. “I gotcha,” he said as he reached under the quilt with one hand, found the charley horse, and massaged it. Jana almost immediately relaxed against him, and once she was sleeping, he tucked the blanket back into place, wrapped his arms around her, and within two breaths fell asleep. * * * * * Jana came awake with a start when Rocky’s cold, wet nose touched her ear. It was dark outside, but the small kitchen light was on over the stove. She reached up to scratch Rocky’s ears, but her muscles protested and she silently groaned. Her entire body felt like it had been steamrolled. Rocky nudged her neck and made a soft snuffling sound that made her smile. She flexed her muscles, trying to figure out what hurt the worst. It was a close toss‐up between her shoulders and her legs. She lifted her arm to see the deep bruise on the inside of her bicep where she’d landed against the wooden frame of the bed when she fell out of the bathroom. Her thigh had cramped and she’d lost her balance. Then Dan had come in. Dan, who had stared at her naked, deformed body. And then he lifted her onto the bed and took care of her. She closed her eyes and let out a slow breath as she pushed to a sitting position. Rocky chirped and nuzzled her side. Okay, okay, she thought as she reached into the drawers beneath the fridge and pulled out a pack of treats for her. Rocky had no teeth, but she liked her goodies. Yogurt drops, normally made for hamsters and gerbils, she could tuck in her cheek until it melted. Rocky had adapted to
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella not having teeth. Too bad Jana hadn’t adapted so well to being short one leg. The door opened. Jana jumped and grabbed for the blanket, pulling it up to her neck, knocking Rocky off balance. The woodchuck made a grumbling sound and went up on hind legs to take the treat bag from her, bound and determined to get her snack. “Hey, sweetheart, you’re awake.” Dan let himself into the camper as if he belonged there, carrying a basket that he held up. “Barb sent dinner for us. I was going to wake you. You’ve been out for hours.” He shut the door behind him, taking up so much room in what she always considered an extravagantly large camper. “There’s fried chicken, still warm, and some mashed potatoes. She also sent some chicken soup in case you’re not up to anything heavy.” Oh great, she thought. He told them. She closed her eyes and bowed her head. Rocky snatched the treat bag from her fingers. She tried to grab it back, but Rocky jumped up on the ledge beneath the window, and when she reached, pain shot through her shoulders and she stopped. The blanket fell to her waist. Mortified, she gave up on getting the bag from Rocky and grabbed the blanket instead, wanting to hide under it until Dan left. The gentleman he was, he acted as if he hadn’t seen anything, set the basket on the counter, and then reached over her and took the bag from Rocky as the woodchuck tried fighting into the sealed bag with no teeth. Rocky chattered at him in her ticked off tone. Dan chuckled. “I found her food in the fridge a couple hours ago and fed her. Can she have one of these?” Jana nodded. He opened the bag, pulled out the treat, and handed it to Rocky who snatched it up and stuffed it in her mouth. “So, you hungry?” Dan asked, setting the treat bag on the little kitchen sink where Rocky couldn’t get a hold of it. The scent of the fried chicken filled the camper and her stomach’s growl answered his question. He grinned at her and moved around her tiny kitchen with the grace and ease of someone not concerned with small
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella spaces, pulling out some plasticware from the drawer, and plastic plates from the cabinet over the stove. Jana eyed the closet across the narrow aisle from the bed, but couldn’t figure a way to get to it and her clothes without baring herself. Her dirty clothes, which she dropped on the floor before her shower, seemed to be missing now. She frowned. Where’d they go? Dan’s gaze followed hers to the closet, and he pulled open the tall, thin door. He reached in and grabbed a T‐shirt off a hanger, then simply slipped the neck opening over her head. After she pushed her arms through the armholes, he smoothed it down her back. When she looked up at him, he was smiling, his beautiful brown eyes tender. “Better?” he asked. She swallowed the golf ball‐sized lump in her throat and nodded. He was so darned sweet. “Thank you,” she signed. His gaze moved over her face, and then to her chest covered by only the thin T‐shirt. Her nipples tightened in a rush that made her breath catch. Dear God, no man had looked at her like that in ages. Definitely no one that knew what the rest of her body looked like. Men, she thought, pushing away the desire that simmered. She was female and she had boobs, and he’d seen them. Any man liked boobs. She folded her arms over her chest, hiding her body’s betrayal. Dan chuckled again and returned to the counter to dish up food. “Chicken or soup?” “Chicken,” she signed. “Potatoes?” She nodded. “And we have Barb’s famous strawberry cheesecake for dessert.” He handed her a plate and then sat down next to her. “How are you feeling?” She set the plate on her lap and signed, “Better. Stiff.” He nodded. “I believe it.” Rocky hopped down from her perch, rounded to Dan’s side, and raised her head to look at his plate. “Uhh…” Dan nudged the animal with his elbow.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Jana laughed and snapped her fingers three times. The woodchuck gave her a little glare, made one disgruntled chatter, and then hopped back onto her perch. “Wow, wish I’d known that snapping trick earlier,” Dan said. “After you fell asleep, she hopped up on the bed and stuck her nose in my ear. She wouldn’t leave me alone.” Jana grinned. “She likes you,” she signed. “A lot.” He made a silly face at her, then laughed. “She’s pretty cool…for a giant rodent.” Jana laughed again and nudged his shoulder with hers, ignoring the muscle pain as she did so. Being with Dan, his teasing and his smiles, the sound of his laugh, made her feel all warm inside. He smelled so good. She noticed that when he held her earlier. He showered before he brought breakfast, and he smelled fresh and clean. His body was so big and warm. And his hands… He was so gentle when he rubbed her legs…so careful. “Eat your food, sweetie,” he said, then took a bite out of a chicken leg. She nodded. “How’s Thunder?” she signed, then picked up the chicken thigh from her plate and took a bite. Mmm. Moist and delicious. She hadn’t had homemade fried chicken since…her mother died. “She’s stabilized, but we still have another twenty‐four hours before we’ll really know anything. She’s still sedated, but she’s breathing well, and there’s no sign of infection.” Jana nodded, pulling her mind away from her mother. They ate in silence for a few minutes, and then Dan said, “You know, I didn’t tell anyone, if that has you worried. I just told them your leg was bothering you and you’d taken some heavy pain killers.” Relief flooded through her. Valisa always got so uptight when anyone found out about her. She didn’t need to deal with a disgruntled Val right now. “Thank you,” she signed. “Another piece of chicken?” He reached to the counter, pulled down the plate of meat, and held it out to her. She chose a leg and bit into it.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “The guys really think you’re something, the way you rushed to aid Thunder, throwing yourself against Carl the way you did.” She shrugged, not wanting the praise. She just did what had to be done. “You were amazing, you know. Impressed the hell out of me.” She shook her head then set her food down on the plate. “She’s too beautiful an animal to put down without trying. And I know you love her.” Dan finished off a third piece of chicken, then set his plate on the counter and pulled a couple paper napkins from the basket. “So, how’d you know to do all that stuff?” He handed her a napkin. “I’ve seen the lip thing before but wouldn’t know how to do it properly, and then the way you cleaned her wound…” He smiled and shifted to face her more fully, hiking one knee onto the bed. “You really knew what you were doing.” Inside, Jana cringed. She knew the questions would come, she just wasn’t sure she was ready to answer them. She finished her food and then handed him the plate to set on the counter with his. After wiping her fingers and mouth, she looked at him. He watched her expectantly. “I…” She started, but then stopped. “What?” What’s the big deal? she wondered. Why was it so hard to admit? Because it was just one more failure in her life. One more dream unfulfilled because of the crash. She took a breath, and then signed, “I was in veterinary school before…before I was injured.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella
Chapter Five Jana watched as Dan’s gaze roamed over her face, over her neck bared by the V neck opening in the T‐shirt, then lower, back to her breasts. She waited, breath held, for the questions to start. How did the crash happen? Why had she said she killed her mother? Why hadn’t she finished veterinary school? Instead, he raised his hand and brushed his fingers over the scar of the wound that had stolen her voice. She shivered at the light tingle that raced down her arms—at the touch that caused goose bumps on her flesh. “How long were you in the hospital?” She blinked at him. That was a different question. “Nearly six months,” she signed. He curled his fingers around the side of her neck and skimmed his thumb along the line of her jaw. Her eyes drifted shut at the tender caress. “How old were you?” “Twenty‐five.” “It must have been so hard on you,” he said, his voice a low rumble. She opened her eyes to see him so close to her she could feel his breath on her cheek, his chocolate eyes filled with tenderness. With a nod she tried to pull away, but he leaned in and settled his warm, soft lips against hers. Her breath caught in her throat. Heat erupted in her belly. She raised her hand to his chest to push him away but even through his denim
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella shirt, she could feel his heat, his strength, and she curled her fingers against his pectoral muscle. He felt so good. So steady. So strong. When she sighed, his tongue swept into her mouth and his arms went around her, pulling her closer. Pulling her tight against his hard chest. Giving in—just for a few minutes she told herself—she wound her arms around his neck, threaded her fingers through his thick, silky hair. God, he smelled so good. Tasted of fried chicken and something elemental that she missed with her entire being for so long. His hand slipped to her hip, and then up under her shirt, his big, warm, callused hand splaying over her back. In her mind, she moaned at the pleasure of his touch. She wanted to tell him how good it felt to be touched, held, kissed. To feel like she was wanted. His mouth left hers and trailed along her jaw, dipped to her neck. She felt electrified, as if her body was waking after years of sleep. She dropped her head back, giving him better access. His tongue skimmed over her scar, and she squeezed her eyes shut, knowing it was time to put a stop to this sensual torture. Loathe to ask him to stop. She wanted this so much, but she couldn’t let him go any further. He nipped her earlobe, and she shivered as goose bumps popped out everywhere. Between her thighs a low throb started. She lowered her hands from his hair to his shoulders, and pushed. He shifted, his other hand winding around her back, joining the other one on her flesh, only lower, near her behind. She wanted to whimper. When he leaned into her, forcing her down onto her back with light pressure of his chest against hers, she fisted her hands in his shirt. His hot mouth trailed down her neck to the V of her T‐shirt. He licked between her breasts, and her body responded. Her nipples tightened, the heat between her thighs grew nearly unbearable. No! She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t, she silently told herself. She shook her head and pushed against his shoulders with force. He rose up on his elbows. “Did I hurt you, babe? I’m sorry.” He shifted off of her. “You okay?” She shook her head, hating the gentleness in his eyes. She raised her hands between them and signed, “Please stop.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He searched her eyes, and she wanted to close them, to hide from him. Could he see how much she wanted him to argue? To persuade her? Her entire body hummed with longing to feel him against her, inside her. “Are you hurting?” he asked, moving completely off of her and sitting up next to her. “I should have thought about that.” He skimmed his knuckles over her cheek. She wanted to lie and say yes, but the truth was, when he was touching her, kissing her, she forgot about any pain in her body. “No pain,” she signed. A slight frown appeared between his brows and he scooted down in the bed, rolling to his side and propping his head on his hand. “What is it then? What’s wrong?” Shaking her head, she signed, “We can’t.” When he skimmed his hand over her shoulder then down, lightly over her breasts to her belly where his hand settled against her, she shuddered. “I am pretty sure we can, as long as we’re careful. I don’t want to hurt you.” He leaned over and brushed his lips against her cheek, then whispered in her ear, “I want you.” “No,” she signed. “You don’t.” He chuckled. “I think I know when I want a woman.” His laugh tickled against her neck before he nipped her. Lightening bolts of desire coursed through her. “You’re too young for me,” she signed, even though she knew she was grasping at straws. “How old are you?” he asked, his teasing kisses along the column of her neck turning her brain to mush. “Thirty‐five.” “Hmm. I’ve never been with an older woman.” She couldn’t miss the teasing in his tone, and it hurt. She didn’t give a damn about their ages. She just needed for him to stop what he was doing, because she could feel her resolve slipping. “Stop!” she signed, and then pushed against his shoulder.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He rose up over her again. “Why, sweetheart? Yeah, I’m almost ten years younger than you, but…does it really matter?” “You don’t want me.” Her chin began to quiver, but she refused to cry. This was for the best. She couldn’t have him. He was temptation and sweetness, but he would regret it later. And she sure as hell would regret it when she saw the disgust in his eyes when he realized he just slept with…with a scarred gimp. “I’m ugly.” “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. Never have I known anyone as sweet and caring as you. You’ve suffered through so much, more than I know you’re willing to share with me, but your spirit is so strong you awe me. You take care of your sister who doesn’t deserve you. You cause yourself physical pain tending to a horse you have no claim to, but who is there for you?” Pain seared her heart at his sweet words. No one was there for her. She couldn’t let anyone be there for her. Her only hope was to push him away before her heart got too involved with this wonderful man. “I don’t want a pity fuck!” She sat up and tried to move away, but he was so big and took up so much of the bed, he trapped her against the wall. He grabbed her hand and pressed her palm against the zipper of his jeans, over his long, solid erection. “Does this feel like pity to you?” He released her and rolled to the side of the bed dropping his booted feet to the floor, his back to her, and then speared his hands through his hair. Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them back. She didn’t want to hurt him. She just wanted him to go before…before it was too late. “I haven’t been with a woman in a long time. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… I don’t force myself on women who don’t want me.” He sighed. “And there’s things you don’t know about me that you probably should.” She heard the pain in his voice, and she couldn’t take it. With any other man—any man from her past, before the crash—she would have called this an act to get into her pants, but she knew it wasn’t. He really did want to make love to her, and something inside him was hurting. Against her better judgment, she reached out and laid her hand against his warm, solid back.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “I won’t lie to you and give you promises. I’ve got nothing. It’ll be years before I have anything.” He turned and looked at her. Then he took her hand in his. “I don’t give a damn about your scars or your leg. You are not ugly in any way to me, Jana. You truly are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, inside and out.” He swallowed hard, laced his fingers with hers. His gaze slid away, over to Rocky who was curled in a ball, sleeping on her ledge. “I just wanted to know what it was like to be with someone so…good.” Jana shook her head, confused. He turned his head to face her again, licked his lips. “I’m halfway through ten years of parole.” His gaze slid away, and her heart rate kicked up. “I was convicted of voluntary manslaughter when I was sixteen.” * * * * * Dan’s stomach turned sour as Jana’s mouth dropped open in surprise and she jerked her hand from his. “Oh God, Jana. Please don’t look at me like that.” He shouldn’t have told her. Why did he tell her? Because he wanted her to know him, the real him. He moved away from her, to the other end of the bed, to give her space since she looked like she wanted to run but physically couldn’t. “Who did you kill?” she signed. “Why? How?” Her agitation was obvious, and he thought about leaving. Instead, he said, “It was my brother‐in‐law.” Her eyes widened. “It was an accident, Jana. I swear.” His voice had gone hoarse, and he cleared his throat. He wanted to reach out to her, but knew she wouldn’t accept his touch now. He was such a fool. Why’d he open his mouth? He should have just taken her no to making love and left her alone. He scrubbed his hand over his face. “I don’t justify what I did. I served four years in prison for it, and now ten more on parole.” He shook
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella his head and dropped his gaze to his lap. He also lost his family in the process. Shit, he shouldn’t have said anything. “I’m sorry, Jana. I’ll go. It was stupid of me to… I’ll stay away.” He stood up, but Jana grabbed his sleeve. “Tell me,” she signed. He swallowed the lump in his throat. “It doesn’t matter. Someone like you would never want anything to do with me. It’s okay.” She grabbed his sleeve again and stopped him from leaving. When he turned back, she signed, “If you were a bad man, Carl would never have you here. His family means too much to him. I see how he is with his wife and kids and brother’s family.” He stood there, undecided, not seeing how it mattered one way or another. He took a life with his own two hands. She would never trust him. Would regret ever letting him kiss her. “Sit your butt down and finish telling me what happened. You are not going to drop this on me and then walk away.” She pointed to the spot he’d vacated. The fear was gone from her face. He sat. “Talk.” “My sister was thinking about leaving her husband,” he said with slow deliberation. He licked his dry lips and sucked in a breath. “She’d found out he was cheating on her.” “Go on.” He shook his head. The memories, though almost a decade old, were too vivid. “I’d just gotten my driver’s license, and Mom sent me over to pick up something at Laura’s house. I…I don’t even remember what I was supposed to get.” He dragged in a breath so he could continue. “No one answered the door when I knocked, so I went in. I heard Laura scream. I ran up the stairs and found Shawn on top of her, raping her, beating her.” Jana covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes widening. “I grabbed him and…and even as a teenager I was big, worked on a farm. I lost it, and by the time Laura pulled me off of him…” Dan stood
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella up and paced into the kitchen, leaned against the counter, his stomach clenching. “I didn’t mean to do it, but he was hurting my sister.” He buried his face in his hands, the pictures too vivid in his mind. Laura’s battered face, Shawn’s blood on his hands. His parents and sister turning against him, shunning him. Their warped morals making him into a criminal while Shawn was put up on a pedestal as some kind of martyr. He jumped when Jana touched his arm. “Shh,” she said, leaning over the counter to reach him. She tugged on his sleeve and pulled him toward the bed. He stared down at her, wondering at the tenderness in her gorgeous moss green eyes. “You were defending your sister. How could it be called manslaughter?” He clenched his teeth. “My sister testified against me.” “No,” she signed, shaking her head. He nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Oh, Dan,” she signed, and then dropped her hands. Nibbling on her bottom lip, she turned her head to the side. “It’s okay, Jana.” He took the one step back to the kitchen and pulled the cheesecake from the basket. “I’ll leave you the cake and soup, and I’ll go. I shouldn’t have laid this on you.” He opened the fridge and tucked the plate and plastic bowl inside. As he shut the door, he felt fingers slipping into his back pocket, and then Jana tugged him backwards. He landed with a grunt on the bed. “I’m not good and pure, or whatever you think of me,” she signed. “But I’ve never had anyone open up to me the way you just have. I don’t expect anything from you. I have nothing to give you, either. I don’t even have a whole body.” Tears sparkled in her eyes, and he pushed up on his elbow to face her. “All I know is that I need you right now. I need your arms around me. I need to feel you. If all we can give each other is one night of comfort, then please, don’t leave. Don’t leave me alone tonight.” A tear trickled
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella down her cheek. “No one but you has touched me in ten years. Show me what it’s like again. Make me feel whole for just one night.”
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Chapter Six Jana held her breath as Dan stared at her. She feared he would get up and walk out. Terrified that he would stay. But…she meant what she said, even if the thought of making love with a man as she was now, after all these years, scared the hell out of her. Then he was on her, his arms wrapping around her, his chest against hers, his mouth taking and possessing her lips, tongue. A sigh shivered out of her as he pressed her down in the bed, his long, hard body covering hers. Yes! she thought as his tongue delved into her mouth, as his hand slid up under her T‐shirt to skim over her breast, tightening her nipple into aching pleasure. Her hands were in his hair, the cool, soft strands tickling her flesh, heightening the combustive arousal that scored through her body. Dan pulled away with a growl, grabbed the bottom of her shirt and swept it over her head. It tangled around her arms and she threw it off. His lips brushed the underside of her left breast, her right, and then he nuzzled into her. “You smell so good,” he said, his voice low, raspy, sexy. And then his mouth closed over one tight peak and pulled with a gentle suck. She gasped and in her mind, she cried out for more. “You taste even better,” he murmured as he moved from one breast to the other. The hand behind her back lifted her, and she arched, giving herself up to him. His other hand ran down her side, over her hip, then
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella skimmed up her inner thigh until his long, blunt fingers tangled in her pubic hair. Heat rushed through her body, energizing her, making her needy for more. Her hands in his hair, she pulled him up and sank her tongue into his mouth, tasting him. He groaned, and her muscles clenched at the sound of his pleasure. Too many clothes. You have on too many clothes, she thought as she pulled his denim shirt from his jeans and touched his bare back. His hard muscles rippled under her fingers. She ran her nails up his back, pulling the shirt higher. “Oh, babe,” he groaned against her cheek. “Do that again.” When she complied, his finger slipped into her, sinking deep. She arched and cried out, if only in her own head. “That’s it, Jana,” he whispered in her ear. His finger withdrew then pressed in again. She couldn’t breathe. She thought she would die. Her body tingled all over, her muscles clenching. “You’re so soft and warm,” he murmured, then caught her earlobe between his teeth as a second finger joined the first, stretching her, filling her. “So damn tight.” She sobbed and thrust her hips up, gripped his bare back with her nails. He covered her mouth with his, his tongue stroking once, twice, and his fingers mimicked the action. Then his thumb pressed against her—there where she most wanted him—and stars exploded behind her eyes as her body clenched and pulsed in the first release she’d had in forever. “Baby, baby,” he whispered as his lips skimmed hers in a gentle caress. “You are amazing.” His fingers still inside her, her muscles still lightly pulsing around them, he stroked her, extending the sweet aftermath of the climax. Jana sucked in a deep breath, then another, trying to bring her brain back into focus. It was useless. She didn’t want to think, she only wanted to feel. More. So much more. When her strength returned enough
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella to move, she brought her hands around between them and started unbuttoning his shirt. “Wait, sweetheart. I…” He dropped his forehead to her shoulder. He what? she thought, frantic that he changed his mind. No, no she needed him. Needed all of him. Just once. She tugged at his shirt, silently begging him not to leave her yet. Not yet. His erection pressed against her hip, she knew he was still aroused. “Babe, I don’t have any condoms. We can’t. Oh. Relief washed through her, and she grinned, then buried her face in his silky hair and breathed in his warm, masculine scent. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and…hugged him. He raised his head and looked into her eyes. “Your call, sweetheart. I can go to the cabin and get one, or…” She shook her head and pointed at the drawers under the fridge. He frowned. She grinned and tapped his shoulder, getting him to look at her hand, then pointed again. “Val’s stash,” she signed. “Big box.” A slow, sweetly sexy smile spread over his face. “Thank God for promiscuous sisters,” he said with a chuckle as he rolled to sit up on the side of the bed. “Which one?” She pointed at the bottom drawer. He opened it and pulled out the box of Trojans. “This should keep us busy for a while.” He turned and winked at her, laid the box on the bed next to her, and then pulled off his boots and socks. She watched as he stood and finished unbuttoning his shirt and slipped it off. Oh, my goodness, she thought when she finally laid eyes on his muscled biceps, bulging pecs and rippled abs. A light patch of curly chest hair ran from between his flat nipples, narrowing to an arrow toward his indented belly button, then down into the top of his jeans. Her fingers itched to feel it. He looked even better than she remembered from that first night when she saw him in the dark outside. His big, strong hands moved to the buttons and he popped them open, then he shucked his jeans and underwear. His thighs were generously muscled and his erection stood free and proud, long and thick. Jana clenched her thighs together as a renewed wave of desire crashed through her.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Planting his fists on his narrow hips, he stood there, perfectly still, letting her take in her fill. When her gaze finally returned to his face, he had a smug little smile and a raised eyebrow. She grinned. “You’re beautiful,” she signed. Like a Greek god, she thought. And all hers for this night. He chuckled and knelt on the edge of the bed, picked up the condom box, and removed one shiny packet. “You’re the beautiful one, Jana.” He ripped it open and sheathed himself. She shook her head. “I forgot what a twenty‐something hard‐ working cowboy’s body looks like. All tanned muscle and bulging…” He laughed and lowered himself over her, settling between her thighs, holding himself up on his elbows so he could see her. “Bulging…?” She grinned. “Bulging everything. Very impressive. Darn, I didn’t get to see your butt.” He wrapped his hands around hers and brought them up, over her head, then laced his fingers through hers. “Shut up, Jana,” he said with a wicked grin and a teasing sparkle in his gorgeous dark eyes. She laughed and nodded, thrilled by the feel of his naked body against hers, his chest hair tickling her nipples. His restrained power. “Okay,” she mouthed. “Good girl.” He dipped his head and gave her a light, nipping, teasing kiss. “It’s been a long time for me, babe,” he said, his voice dropping back to that husky murmur that made her tingle all over. “I’m afraid once I get inside you…” He kissed her again, this time deeper. “God, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a woman this much.” He released her hands and pushed back up on his elbows. “I’m afraid of hurting you.” She shook her head. There was no pain right now. There was nothing but the two of them and the knowledge that in just a few minutes—seconds if he would shut up—he would be inside her. “Pinch me.” She frowned.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “If I do anything to hurt you in any way, I want you to pinch me. Hard. And I’ll stop.” He was so darned sweet. She raised her hands to his cheeks and skimmed her thumbs over his slight whisker stubble. Looking into the depths of his beautiful, soulful eyes, she mouthed, “Make love to me.” Lowering his head, he wrapped his arms around her, captured her mouth, and slowly sank into her. Ahhh! The sweet pleasure of his thickness stretched her, filled her up. Dan’s groan, echoing her silent one in her mind, spurred her on and made her entire body pulse to life in a way that had become but a shadow of a memory. Raising her left leg, she wrapped it over his butt. He drove deeper into her, his thrusts slow and steady. One of his big hands slid down her side, over her thigh, and then around to cup her behind, tilting her hips up, and he went even deeper. Needing air, she ripped her mouth from his and pressed her head into the pillow. His lips never left her though, as they trailed along her jaw, down her neck. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she held him as tight as she possibly could, never wanting the sweet torture to end. His teeth nipped that spot where neck and shoulder meet, and she thrust up against him, meeting him. “Yes,” he said on a grunt. “Babe…I…” His hand slid between them, his thumb pressing against her most sensitive spot as he pounded into her. With a silent scream and surrender, she shattered into the kaleidoscope of climax, her nails digging into his back. He wrapped both arms around her, buried his face against her neck and with two hard thrusts, she felt him pulse into her, his long, low groan one of pure masculine satisfaction. Jana clung to him, her face buried against his shoulder as she tried to catch her breath. Her heart thudded a hard tattoo against her ribs, and she could feel his doing the same. “You okay?” he asked, not moving.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She nodded, but knew it was a lie. She wasn’t okay. She may never be okay again. Her foolish heart had fallen for this sweet, sexy cowboy. The only man to touch her physically or emotionally in a decade. He tried to lift off, but she wrapped her arms tighter around his shoulders, clenched her left leg to keep him pinned down. “I’ll flatten you, babe.” She shook her head and kissed his cheek. Just a few more minutes, she silently begged. Don’t leave me yet. Jana felt Rocky moving on the bed. She watched as the woodchuck ambled over to them and stuck her nose in Dan’s ear. “Argh!” He jerked away. She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. Dan rolled to his side, swiping his hand over his ear, then sat up on the edge of the bed. “She does that on purpose, doesn’t she?” Jana did smile at his disgruntled tone and nodded when he turned to look at her. “She likes the way you smell,” she signed, then pulled the blanket up to cover her nakedness. He chuckled and took off the condom, then stood up to deposit it in the garbage bag beneath the sink. He must have searched the camper to know where everything was located, she thought. Her thoughts scattered as he bent over, unintentionally mooning her with the finest ass she’d ever seen. Oh, my goodness. She wanted to sink her teeth into it, take a bite. He turned and caught her staring, raised an eyebrow at her and smirked. “Ahem. Like what you see?” She nodded. No reason to lie. “You have a fantastic butt,” she signed. He laughed and sat down next to her hip. “I’m so glad you approve.” Rocky ambled over to him and tried to climb into his lap, but he just about jumped off the bed when her claws dug into his thighs. “Whoa, there, you big rat,” he said, and lifted her away. Jana laughed and slugged his shoulder. “She’s not a rat.” “She’s a rodent isn’t she?”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Rolling her eyes, Jana pushed up on her elbow, holding the blanket over her chest. Dan blocked her movement though, because his gorgeous butt anchored the edge of the quilt. She tugged, but he didn’t move. When she looked up, he was grinning at her. “What?” she signed. “You’re being silly.” She frowned and tugged harder, but he wouldn’t move. She huffed and flopped to her back. “Why am I silly?” she signed, irritated at his smug look. Leaning over her, his hands on either side of her head, he said, “You’re being silly trying to hide under that blanket when I already know what you look like. And I liked what I saw, Jana.” He dipped his head and kissed her nose. She shook her head. He was sweet and kind and caring, and he would say something to try to make her feel better, but she knew what she looked like, saw her reflection every single day. Even if he could overlook the scar on her face, there was no ignoring the slash marks on her side and stomach and…and no way in hell would he convince her that a stump didn’t turn him off. He nodded in opposition to her headshake and tugged the blanket down to reveal her breasts. “Hmm,” he said as he looked down. “This one seems just about perfect.” He covered her left breast with his big, rough palm, and her breath caught. “Yep, that one works well,” he said with a grin. “Your nipple knows exactly when to tighten.” Lightly rubbing his fingers over the peak, his grin widened when she arched toward him. “Yeah, that one’s good. How about this one?” He moved to her right breast and repeated the process. Jana shuddered and her body hummed in response to his touch. “Oh, look. That one works too.” Then his fingers trailed down the side of her right breast, skimming over the scar tissue there. “Okay. There are some marks here.” He pushed the blanket down to her waist. “And here,” he whispered as he trailed his fingers over her side and belly. “But
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella I’m not real sure, other than the fact that I hate that you’ve been through so much pain in your life, why they would keep me from enjoying your body.” “Stop,” she signed, her heart feeling as if it were tearing in two. He shifted, pushed the blanket off of her, and shook his head. “I won’t stop, Jana.” He skimmed his hand down her left leg, all the way to the ankle. “You’re so beautifully put together. Muscular…” His fingers flexed over her calf, then her thigh. “Yet, soft and curvy in all the right places.” He leaned down and kissed the small swell of her abdomen, nuzzling his nose against her. Tears stung her eyes at the sweet gesture. Desperate to stop her heart from falling any further, she clasped his cheeks and raised his head, then signed, “I’m missing a leg. I don’t care what you say, that’s not beautiful.” To make her point, she lifted her thigh so it was eye level to him. “I can’t do a million things a normal woman could do. I can’t go for long walks. I can’t even ride a damn horse any more. I’ve tried. I don’t have the strength or the limberness to do it.” Instead of saying anything—because if he argued, she could fight him—he wrapped his arm around her raised thigh, pressed it against his shoulder, and laid his cheek against her. His dark, tender gaze never wavered from hers. “Who are you trying to convince here, Jana? Me or yourself?” His gentle touch teased over her hip as he turned his head to kiss the sensitive flesh of her inner thigh. Dear Lord, he was killing her. She couldn’t take this. There was no future for them, and the fact that he was seducing her heart was going to push her over the edge. She couldn’t fall in love with him, not completely, not any more than she already had. For too many reasons they weren’t meant for each other. He was too young, he was on parole, and she had her sister to… God, her sister. She realized she couldn’t care less how old he was. Or that he had been incarcerated for a crime he shouldn’t have been punished for. He had dreams of a future for himself. He was the sweetest, kindest, most gentle man she ever met and someday, he would make someone a
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella wonderful husband. But she couldn’t be that person because she had responsibilities she couldn’t walk away from. Valisa and her father would never let her go. Never let her have her own dreams. She tookVal’s mother from her and her father’s wife. She was honor bound—duty bound—to take care of them because her mother wasn’t there to do it. “I need to take Rocky for a walk and feed her,” she signed, pulling from his tender embrace. After a long pause, in which she expected more words that would only hurt her heart, he said, “I’ll do it. I have to check on Thunder anyway.” “I need to get some air,” she signed, then pushed herself to sit up. “I’ll go with you.” He stood up and reached for his underwear. She kept from rolling her eyes only through supreme will, and grabbed her prosthetic off the shelf over the bed. She had her night with him; it was over now. That’s what they agreed upon. One night of mutual comfort. One night she would be paying for the rest of her life, because she knew there was no way on God’s green earth she would ever forget Dan. * * * * * As he dressed, Dan watched Jana strap on her prosthetic, wondering how she could think so little of herself. “You know,” he said, choosing his words with care, “you can do a hell of a lot that most women can’t.” She looked up at him, her eyes showing her disbelief. “What you did with Thunder. I’ve never met another woman who would’ve done what you did. Calming her so easily and then, even though you were in physical pain, never leaving her side until you were satisfied she was all right.” “It’s what I was trained to do, Dan,” she signed. “Anyone who thought they could do it, would have. It was nothing special. I live with physical pain everyday. It’s part of my life I’ve become accustomed to.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Buttoning his shirt, he nodded. “I understand that, but what I don’t get is why you aren’t a vet. Heck, Doc even offered you a job, you were that good. He’s never had an assistant as far as I know.” He tucked his shirt into his jeans and buttoned them. “I have other responsibilities now. Besides, I never finished my degree. Could you please hand me a pair of jeans from the closet?” She obviously wanted to change the subject, and he supposed he should let her…for now. Reaching into the closet, he grabbed a pair of jeans. She pulled on the T‐shirt she wore to sleep in. The thin cotton didn’t hide her breasts well, and all he wanted to do was get his hands back on them. She had beautiful breasts—she had beautiful everything. Even though he had nothing material to offer her, he liked to think he could at least get her to see what a truly amazing woman she was. If he had it to give, though, he’d give her the world. She deserved everything her heart desired. She stood to pull up the pants and then open a small drawer under the closet and pulled out a single sock. She put it on her foot then looked around as if searching for something. “What happened to all my clothes?” she signed. “They were on the floor when I fell asleep.” Sitting down on the edge of the bed to pull on his boots, he said, “I took them to my cabin to wash them, along with the bag of laundry I found up on the other bed.” She raised her eyebrows, but she didn’t look mad. He hoped she wasn’t mad. Rocky nudged his arm, and when he raised it to look at the woodchuck, she crawled onto his lap. He smiled and petted the little beast. She was a pretty cool pet, he had to admit. “My boots?” He grinned. “They’re up there.” He pointed at the over the cab bed. “I didn’t want either of us tripping over them.” She limped into the kitchen then pulled down her boots. Frowning, she examined them, then set them on the floor and looked up at him. “You cleaned my boots?”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He grinned and nodded, and then stood up, holding Rocky in his arms like a baby. “Yeah. We should probably get her outside; she hasn’t been out for hours. Where’s that leash?” Jana glanced down at her boots then back at him, shook her head and opened a drawer in the kitchen, withdrawing the harness and leash. “She won’t have an accident,” she signed after he took it from her. “She’s litter box trained.” He looked around. “I don’t see a litter box.” Jana smiled. “It’s under the bed.” He set Rocky on the bed so he could figure out how to strap her into the harness. “The little rat had me thinking she was going to pee on me if I didn’t take her out earlier. I put her in the kids’ corral behind the big house so she didn’t run away since I couldn’t find the leash.” He heard Jana’s breathy silent laugh behind him. He grinned then fumbled with the buckles and straps of the harness. After Jana stomped into her boots, she nudged him out of the way and with a few quick movements, had the thing in place on Rocky. Lifting the woodchuck into his arms, he turned toward the door, but Jana stopped him by tugging on his sleeve. He raised an eyebrow at her. “First,” she signed, “Rocky’s not a rat.” She grinned. “Second, there’s a corral for the kids?” He chuckled and nodded. “Carl built it when the kids were small, so Barb could stick them somewhere safe in the backyard. While cooking, she could keep an eye on them out the back window. Now that they’re old enough, they don’t use it anymore, so Barb said Rocky could use it.” “Okay,” Jana signed. “But she’s not a rat.” He winked. “If you say so.” Then he turned and opened the door before she could say any more.
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Chapter Seven “What time is it?” Jana signed as they watched Rocky root around in the lawn looking for her illusive bugs. “Probably a bit after midnight. You slept almost fifteen hours.” “Vicodin does that to me.” She sighed and then shoved her hands in her pockets. Dan held Rocky’s leash. He may joke around and call her a rat, but Jana could tell he liked her. “How are your legs now?” She shrugged. “Fine,” she signed after pulling her hands from her pockets. “Little residual ache, but that’s normal.” Her shoulders and neck were stiffer than her legs, to tell the truth. She must have clenched up something fierce when the cramps hit. The bruise on her right butt cheek, where she slammed against the edge of the wood platform of the bed when she fell out of the bathroom, hurt like a bugger. She wasn’t about to tell Dan that, though. She didn’t figure he saw it, or he no doubt would have commented on it. Dan reached out and took her hand, then laced his fingers through hers. When she looked at him, he smiled at her but said nothing. The simple contact was comforting, and she moved a bit closer, so their arms touched. She may as well take what she could, she thought, her heart heavy in her chest, because it wouldn’t last long. She looked up at the stars dotting the moonless sky, the glow from the yard lamps only slightly diminishing their sparkle.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Pretty here, isn’t it?” Dan’s voice was whisper soft. “I fell in love with the Rocky Basin the moment I arrived. She nodded as she picked out the Big Dipper and Orion. This would be an easy place to love. The people who lived here, too, she thought as she glanced sideways at him. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Without conscious thought, she turned into him and laid her forehead against his shoulder. In the years since the crash, she watched couples with a bit of envy. The easy touches passed between lovers and married couples that attended the rodeos together. The lusty looks some of the cowboys gave the buckle bunnies they planned to spend the night with. Even some of the men Val wound up with made her a little jealous with the way they fawned over her sister. She was envious because she knew that she would never be on the receiving end of that affection. Who would want her, even if she had the time, inclination or freedom to pursue a man? Dan, her heart whispered. He was different. For some reason he didn’t see her scars the way others did. From almost the first moment they met, he never stared at her face. He kissed her neck, touched her scars. He looked into her eyes when he spoke, his gaze never wandering to her flaws. “How long does she need?” he asked as he pulled his hand from hers to wrap his arm around her back, snuggling her a bit closer to his big, solid body. Jana shrugged. All night, she wanted to say, so that she could stand here in the cool night with her very own lover. From now on, whenever she saw those cowboys with their women, she would remember this moment. She breathed in his scent and closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his arm around her. “Oh, now that’s just gross,” he said then chuckled. “There’s a worm dangling out of her mouth.” Jana looked over at Rocky and sure enough, she actually caught one. Reluctantly, Jana pulled out of Dan’s embrace and went to Rocky, pulled the wiggling worm from Rocky’s mouth and checked it for injury.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella The worm seemed fine, and Jana tossed it back to the grass. Rocky chattered at her in annoyance, but Jana snapped her fingers, which meant “knock it off” in their way of communication. Rocky gave a grunt and walked over to Dan, rose up on hind legs, and placed her paws on his leg. Jana laughed. “What’s she want?” he asked as he bent down to pick her up. After watching him tuck Rocky into the crook of his arm, pushing her nose away from his face with a look of disgust that made her laugh even harder, Jana signed, “You know how, when you tell a child no, they’ll go to the other parent to see if that one will say yes?” Dan laughed. “So, I’m Big Daddy now, huh?” He scratched Rocky’s belly. “I say no, too, because eating worms is gross for a house pet.” Jana shook her head and signed, “Dogs lick their…you know whats.” Dan grinned and winked. “So would men, if they could reach them.” She slugged his shoulder, which made him laugh. “Gross, huh?” he said with another sexy wink. “Men,” she signed with another shake of her head. “Wanna go check Thunder with me? It’s probably about time to change the IV bag.” She nodded. “Let’s put Rocky back in the camper so she doesn’t spook the horses.” “Wait here.” She stood on the lawn watching his sexy backside as he walked toward the camper. Man, he was good looking. He opened the door and put Rocky inside, then took off the harness before closing her in. He looped the leash over the doorknob then jogged back to her. Taking her hand in his, he walked beside her as they headed for the barn, shortening his steps to accommodate her. After a quick check to make sure Thunder was still resting with no stress, Dan changed the IV bag. “One more day,” he said as he rubbed the mare’s velvety nose. “I hope she’s going to be okay. I don’t know how I’ll
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella bring myself to put her down now if she’s not. I couldn’t pull the trigger last night.” Jana hoped so, too. She hated not only the thought of the loss of such a fine animal, but also what that loss would do to Dan. He said she was the base for his future, for building his own stock. He wanted his own spread someday. She prayed he would get his dreams. He deserved them. Dan stepped out of the stall then latched the gate. Jana laid her hand on his arm and gave a little squeeze. He gently pressed his hand over hers. “Come on. It’s late.” She nodded. He needed to be up early, she thought. She couldn’t keep him to herself all night. He worked on a very busy ranch, and he hadn’t slept all day the way she had. Dan latched the barn door and then wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they headed back to the camper. He opened the door for her, and she turned to say goodnight, but he grinned and lifted her into the camper, then came up the stairs. She backed up to give him room as he grabbed the leash off the outside doorknob and then shut the door. “How about that cheesecake? You feel like dessert?” He gave her a quick peck on the lips as he squeezed past her in the tiny aisle between bathroom and bed. After putting Rocky’s harness away, he washed his hands in the sink. “Or do you need some more chicken?” Okay, she thought, he wasn’t leaving yet. Her heartbeat stuttered for an instant. Who was she to argue? She didn’t want him to leave. She glanced at the bed where Rocky was curled up on her pillow. Correction, she was curled up on the pillow Dan had used earlier. “Cheesecake,” she signed. And then maybe a little more beefcake? Would he want more of…her? She bit her lip and hoped as he reached into the fridge. * * * * * Once again, Rocky stuck her nose in his ear. He didn’t even jump this time; he just nudged her with his shoulder and then scratched her
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella head when she curled up against him. Silly little rodent, he thought as he yawned. A furry bowling ball on one side of him, and a soft warm woman on the other. A warm naked woman. He grinned and buried his face in Jana’s hair as he rubbed his hand over her silky shoulder. She shivered and curled closer against him. Her fingers tickled through his chest hair, found his nipple and flicked it. “You awake, babe?” She nodded, yawned, then stretched, raising her arms over her head. Her breasts peeked out from beneath the blanket. Abandoning Rocky, he rolled over and wrapped his arms around Jana, dipped his head, and captured one nipple between his lips. Her breath whooshed out and her hands sank into his hair. “Mmm.” He licked her nipple to stiffness before moving to the other one. “You taste so good.” She tapped his shoulder. He chuckled. She slapped him then. He raised his head. “What’s wrong?” She made a face. “Have to go to the bathroom,” she signed, then shoved at him. He chuckled and rolled off of her. “Okay, sorry.” He moved out of her way so she could scoot to the edge of the bed, and then he watched as she stood on her good leg, supporting herself on the opposite wall, and reached for the bathroom door. Damn, he thought, she had an amazing ass. Flared hips, narrow waist. She disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door. Rocky moved up the bed and curled up on his pillow, tucking her head beneath her so she really did look like a fuzzy bowling ball. He grinned. This was nice, he thought as he stood up and scratched his chest. He could get used to this; waking up with his woman. His grin slipped and he sat back down. She wasn’t really his woman. She’d said one night. Was it over now? The thought hurt more than he thought it could. There was no deluding himself…he loved her. And that was a damn stupid thing to have gone and done. There was no future for them, not now. He had no future until his parole was up, and that was five years away. No way in hell could he ask her to stay with him
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella now. He had nothing but his salary as a ranch hand, which included room and board. It was something, but not enough to support a wife. Wife… God, that sounded nice. Jana waiting for him when he came in after a long day. Holding her every night. Waking up to her every morning. Making love to her and hearing that breathy little laugh of hers when he teased her. No. He couldn’t even think it. He shared a cabin with Bobby. He had no home of his own. The only thing he had to his name was Thunder and until tonight, he wouldn’t know if he still had her. Hell, he couldn’t even leave the ranch without written permission from Carl and his parole officer. The shower came on in the little bathroom. He bent to retrieve his underwear from the floor. He needed to check on Thunder in about an hour, and Barb would have breakfast on the table. He pulled on his jeans and was just buttoning his shirt when the water shut off. The bathroom door opened and Jana frowned at him, shampoo suds streaming down her chest from her frothy hair. “I’m out of water,” she signed, leaning against the doorframe. “Can I use your shower?” He grinned and pulled a towel from the little closet. “Sure.” He swiped her arms and shoulders, then wrapped her hair up. He found her T‐shirt on the end of the bed and helped her put it on. “Thank you,” she signed, then moved to the bed where she sat to put on her prosthetic. He wanted to tell her she didn’t need to. He could carry her to the cabin. Would enjoy it, in fact. But he knew she would never accept that, and she wouldn’t want anyone seeing her without her leg, anyway. She was far too self‐conscious about it. If she let people know, then…then they would be more likely to offer help, and if she was anything, she was too damn independent. He finished dressing while she did. Jana put out some food and water in Rocky’s feed dishes, and then gathered the containers from last night’s supper and put everything in the basket. “I’ll wash these in your sink before I give them back to Barb.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella With a nod, he took the basket and opened the door. The sun was up, and he guessed the time around eight. Probably missed breakfast, he thought. After going down the steps, he turned and offered Jana his hand. She took it without hesitation and they walked across the yard together. Valisa sat sprawled across the top step of the cabin reading a magazine. When she heard them coming she looked up. Her eyes widened for an instant, and she sat up, making room for them to climb the steps. Jana pulled her hand from his, and it made him angry. Why didn’t she want Valisa to see them holding hands? “Good morning,” Valisa said. “Mornin’,” Dan responded, putting his hand to Jana’s back to urge her up the steps when she slowed her pace. Jana glanced at him, and then at Valisa. “Sleeping kind of late today, aren’t you?” Valisa asked. Dan’s muscles clenched when Jana’s steps faltered. If that little brat hurt Jana again… “I need to check on Godiva,” Jana signed and tried to side step him. He caught her arm. “You have shampoo in your hair, babe,” her reminded her. “And I checked on Godiva when I went out to change Thunder’s IV a couple hours ago. They’re both fine.” And shouldn’t Valisa be checking on the horse once in a while? She was the rider. But he was smart enough to keep that thought to himself. Jana reached up and felt the towel wrapped around her head. She sighed and her shoulders slumped when she lowered her hands. She started to sign something to Valisa, but stopped mid “camper,” and dropped her hands. She obviously forgot that Valisa didn’t know sign language. “Come on,” he said, guiding Jana up the last couple of steps. When the door shut behind them, he dropped the picnic basket on the table in the kitchen and turned Jana by the shoulders until her gaze met his. “Why?” he asked. “Why what?” she signed.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Why do you let her treat you like shit? Why hasn’t she learned to sign? Why did you pull away from me when you saw her? She’s your little sister, for crying out loud.” She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth, but didn’t say anything. “Damn it, Jana.” Releasing her shoulders, he turned away and slashed his fingers through his hair. “What kind of warped relationship do you two have that she can say horrible things to you and you just stand there and take it?” He spun back around and nailed her with a hard stare. “She’s a spoiled rotten little brat, and you treat her like the goddamn queen of England.” “I do not,” she signed. “You do too. You don’t sign in front of her because it embarrasses her. The little bi— She was yelling at you the other day like a harpy in front of half the ranch. She accused you of killing her mother, for Christ’s sake, and what did you do? You just walk away.” “I did kill our mother!” She ripped the towel off her head and threw it over the back of a chair. “You don’t understand anything. You can’t. You killed your brother‐in‐law and went to jail for protecting your sister. You were justified in what happened, and it’s awful that you were punished. But you have no idea what it’s like to kill your own mother because you weren’t paying attention to the road because you were so mad that she—” She dropped her hands and turned away. “Jana…” He touched her shoulder but she jerked away. “Babe, tell me what happened.” She shook her head. Moving around in front of her, he caught her chin in his palm and raised her head to look him in the eye. “You can’t tell me you intentionally killed her.” Her chin quivered in his hand as she valiantly fought back tears. “You told me ten years, babe. Isn’t it time to stop punishing yourself for something that wasn’t your fault?” “It was my fault,” she signed. “It was all my fault.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “I don’t believe it. Whatever happened, I’m certain it wasn’t on purpose.” A tear dripped from her right eye. He brushed it away with his fingers. “You let Valisa treat you like crap because of some perceived wrong done against her because she lost her mother so young, don’t you? Did your mother die in the crash that caused all your scars? Caused you to lose a leg? Your voice?” Another tear fell when she nodded. “Don’t you think that you’ve suffered enough?” She shook her head. God, she was stubborn. Dan pulled her into his arms and pressed her damp head against his shoulder. How could she do this to herself? Let herself be treated so badly? Ten years of guilt, she’s lived with. “Let it go,” he whispered. He knew guilt. Knew how it could eat a hole in a person’s soul. He lost a lot for killing Shawn, the least of which was his freedom. But Jana submitted herself willingly to the prison of her sister. Self‐flagellation in the extreme, as far as he could see. Jana pulled away from him. “I need a chair for the shower, if you have one that can get wet. Please?” She was an expert at changing the subject, too, he thought as he grabbed one of the wooden chairs from the dining table. “Come on.” He led her down the short hall to the bathroom. “I’ll grab your clothes from the dryer, so you have something clean to wear.” He set the chair in the tub then turned back to her. “And then I’m joining you in the shower.” Her eyes widened and she shook her head. Cupping the back of her neck, he pulled her against his chest and lowered his mouth to hers. She responded to the kiss, her lips parting, her breath whooshing out. He sank his tongue deep into her and groaned as his body hardened. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed against him, rubbing her abdomen against his erection, making him ache. When he came up for air, he laid his forehead against hers. “I’m joining you in the shower, and I won’t take no for an answer, got it, lady?”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She gave a slight nod. “Good. Get naked and I’ll be back in a minute.”
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Chapter Eight Jana gripped Dan’s shoulders and shuddered as another climax rolled through her. His hands on her backside as she straddled him on the chair, the steamy water flowing over them, nothing in her life had ever felt so good. So right. Dan came with a low groan, his fingers flexing against her butt. Spent and sated, she collapsed against his chest and buried her face against his neck. “Wow,” he said as he blew out a breath and wrapped his arms around her. “That just keeps getting better and better.” She smiled against his skin. He was right. They made love last night after sharing a slice of strawberry cheesecake and a mug of hot chocolate. Then again when he returned from checking on the horses. She should be satisfied by now, but her need for him grew every time they were together. Bad, bad thing, Jana thought and clung to him even tighter. When it was time to leave, to head off to the next rodeo in just a few days, it was going to hurt worse than any physical injury she ever lived through. She wondered how she would survive. His probing questions earlier had nearly done her in. She wanted so badly to tell him everything, to explain why she did the things she did. But she couldn’t do it. He wouldn’t understand. No one would. She took care of Valisa because she had to. Val didn’t have a mother to look out for her, and that was Jana’s fault.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “You okay?” Dan whispered in her ear, his voice barely louder than the fall of water. She nodded. If she could just stay right here with him, where Valisa didn’t exist, where Dan accepted her for who she was, everything would be perfect. But her life wasn’t perfect, and she had her own sins to atone for. And in the real world, Dan was nothing but a pleasant dream. Someone she would forever hold in her heart. She would remember him for the rest of her life and always wonder if he found his dreams. Dan brushed her wet hair off her face, turned his head and kissed her cheek. Then his hands were back on her thighs, lightly caressing her. “You said you couldn’t ride a horse any longer, but, um…” He chuckled. “You rode me just fine.” Blinking away the water droplets from her lashes, she smiled and leaned back to see his face. She shook her head and then kissed his lips. He tasted so good, she thought. Masculine. And boy did he know how to use that tongue. When she sat back, she signed, “I have very little strength in my right thigh. Too much muscle damage. I can’t grip a horse and stay in the saddle properly. I do ride Godiva once in a while, but only when she needs the exercise and Val doesn’t want to do it, but it’s tiring and I get the cramping afterward from the strain.” Dan frowned. “Do you miss it?” She nodded. “What about those special saddles, like they use for working with disabled children? One that would support you better?” With a shrug, she wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder, letting the hot water cascading over them and Dan’s big, warm hands soothe her as they coasted over her body. Closing her eyes, she listened to the soft roar of the shower mingle with Dan’s heartbeat against her ear. She couldn’t tell him the truth. She tried one of those special saddles once, at a rodeo where a wife of one of the bull riders was a double amputee. It had worked well, and she’d enjoyed it. But when she tried to talk her father into letting her get one, he adamantly said no. He
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella wasn’t going to waste the money on buying her some fancy do‐dad saddle when it wouldn’t do any good. There was no reason for her to ride anymore. She knew her job, and she didn’t need to be seated on top of a horse to perform that job. She’d tried to save for one ever since, but they cost a lot, and most of what her father paid her for being Val’s trainer just barely covered her clothing, food and medication. She had a long way to go before she could afford to have a saddle specially made for her needs. “There’s a guy who lives about twenty miles from here, a friend of Carl’s who’s a saddle maker. I bet he could come up with something for you.” She didn’t respond. “Did you fall asleep?” His hand coasted up her back and tangled in her wet hair. He kissed her shoulder. She shook her head. She didn’t want to talk about anything. Sitting here, wrapped in Dan’s strong arms with the steam from the shower surrounding them, making her feel isolated and safe, was about the closest to heaven she’d ever been. A knock on the door made her jump, but Dan’s embrace kept her from tumbling off his lap. “Dan,” Bobby called. “You in there? Need you up on the ridge. Just got a call from Carl. We need your help.” “I’ll be there in a minute,” Dan answered. “Play time is over,” he whispered and then planted a hard kiss on her lips. He reached behind him and turned off the shower, then stood up with her in his arms. “What do I do with you?” he asked, his tone light and teasing. She hugged his shoulders then leaned back to sign, “Set me on the toilet so I can dry off and put my clothes on without killing myself.” He checked to make sure the lid was down before he set her on the commode, wrapped a towel around her shoulders, and then moved her clothes across the counter so she could reach them. Then he leaned over and gave her a lingering kiss. “I’m sorry babe, but I gotta go.” She nodded. “I know. You have work to do.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He grabbed the second towel off the rack and swiped it across his chest. “Could you do me a favor?” She nodded. “Could you check on Thunder for me and change her IV?” “No problem,” she signed. He wrapped the towel around his waist, bent to give her another kiss, and then opened the door. “See you in a while, babe.” He winked and grinned. “Think about me while I’m gone?” Like she would be able to think of anything else. * * * * * “Hey, Jana.” Jana turned from scratching Thunder’s forehead and smiled at Barb, then put her finger to her lips so Barb wouldn’t talk too loud. The sedative was wearing off, and Jana hoped Dan would return before the mare came completely out of it. It was time to test her leg. “Oh,” Barb whispered. “It’s time?” Jana nodded. “I just came out to see if you were going to have some supper. I saved you a plate.” Jana smiled and signed, “Thank you,” figuring almost everyone knew that sign. “Carl called in an hour ago. The guys aren’t going to be back for another hour or two. They’re up in the hills looking for some missing cattle.” Slowly stepping away from Thunder, she reached over to the top of the gate and pulled down her wipe board. She’s just about come out of sedation. Would you help me lower the sling and test her leg? I don’t want to leave her in the sling any longer than we need to. Barb smiled and stepped into the stall. “Of course.” Jana wiped the board with her sleeve, then wrote, If there’s something wrong, it might be better if Dan wasn’t here to see it. I think she’s okay, though. The wound is healing well.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Barb put her hand beneath Thunder’s nose and then rubbed her fingers over the velvet there. Keeping her voice low, she said, “When she was born and Carl told him he could try to save her, that boy slept in the barn for almost a month. Nursed her from a bottle, hand fed her sweet mash. I’ve never seen such commitment and love. When he gives his heart, it’s forever.” Jana’s chest tightened. Thunder wuffled over Barb’s fingers and tried shifting. “I think she’s ready, don’t you?” Jana nodded and wrote, If you can lower the pulley, I’ll keep her calm. “Sure thing.” Barb moved outside the stall where the pulley lever was against the wall and waited for her signal. Jana laid the wipe board on the top railing and then made a soft whispery sound between her teeth and tongue as she put her hands on Thunder’s nose, ready to twitch her if she panicked. “Jana, I need to talk to you,” Valisa said, letting the barn door slam behind her. Jana’s muscles clenched, worried Thunder would get distressed over the noise. She turned to look at Val and shook her head. “Not now,” she mouthed. “It’s important. I need—” Barb came away from the pulley, took Val by the arm, and led her back toward the door. “Now is not a good time,” she said in a fierce whisper. “We’re working with the horse and you’re making too much noise.” She heard the barn door quietly shut again, and sighed with relief. That girl had the worst timing. Thunder seemed fairly calm, and when Barb was back in position by the pulley, Jana gave a nod. Barb slowly eased the pulley so the sling loosened around Thunder’s body. The mare tried to raise her head, but Jana held her and kept making the soothing sound, praying the horse wouldn’t buck. If she panicked, Jana knew she could be trampled and the stitches could rip from the
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella wound. Thunder’s eyes widened and rolled, but Jana remained calm and kept lightly stroking her face and nose. “It’s off,” Barb whispered. “She’s taking weight.” Jana’s heart soared and tears stung her eyes. This was it. Still whispering, she slowly moved to the horse’s right side and, stroking her hands over Thunder’s neck, turned her head so she could see how well the mare was standing. Thunder raised her foot, then put it down, added a bit of weight, then pulled it up again. But she wasn’t distressed, her breathing was normal, and her heartbeat wasn’t thudding too hard beneath Jana’s hand. She was going to be okay. She was going to make it. Dan will be so relieved, she thought as a tear fell from her eye. Blinking, she swiped her sleeve over her eyes. “She’s okay,” Barb whispered. “She’s really okay.” Jana nodded, and when Thunder moved forward to the water trough with only a slight limp, she knew it was true. Thunder drank deeply then raised her head and nudged her wet muzzle against Jana’s chest. Jana laughed and pulled a sugar cube from her pocket and gave it to the beautiful mare. Barb came into the stall and unhooked the sling and pulled it out, then rolled it up. “I don’t suppose you want to leave her right now, do you?” Barb asked with a grin. Janna shook her head. She wanted to watch to make sure Thunder wouldn’t try disturbing the wound and that she would eat. “I’ll bring your plate of food out for you. Coffee? Milk? Tea?” “Milk,” Jana mouthed. “Thank you,” she signed. Still grinning, Barb nodded and patted her shoulder. “We could use someone with your animal sense on this spread.” Picking up the canvas sling, she walked to the tack room in the back of the barn where she put it on a shelf, and then left out the back door. Jana put her arms around Thunder’s neck and laid her forehead against the mare. If it were that simple, she thought. To stay. To live here with Dan and all these wonderful people. To never have to attend another
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella rodeo. Never have to hear her father’s words of disappointment in her, or Valisa’s hateful whine. Sighing, she reminded herself that wishing was for fools. She may be a lot of things, but a fool she wasn’t. She knew her place, and it wasn’t here. * * * * * Dan jumped from the farm truck as soon as Carl pulled to a stop outside the big house. It was late and he was worried about Thunder. She should have been brought out of the sedation more than two hours ago. After slamming the truck door, he jogged toward the barn. He pulled open the barn door and saw Jana leaning against Thunder’s stall, her head tipped forward, obviously asleep. He quietly shut the door behind him and moved toward her. She didn’t move. Next to her sat an empty dinner plate and thermos mug. She was worried about Thunder, too. She was the sweetest. And then he looked into Thunder’s stall and almost whooped for joy. Thunder was standing on her own. When she heard him, her ears perked and she moved toward the gate with only a slight limp. “Hey girl,” he whispered as he reached over the gate and scratched her ears. Thunder wuffled and nudged him with her nose. He grinned and his heart clenched. “You’re gonna be okay, aren’t’cha girl?” Jana shifted, and he looked down at her. She was looking up at him with a smile that lit her whole face and made her eyes sparkle. Stepping back from the gate, he bent and lifted her under the arms, pulling her into a tight hug. “Thank you, Jana,” he whispered in his ear as he rocked her side to side. “You saved her.” Jana clung to his shoulders and gave that soft, breathy laugh. He set her to her feet and captured her mouth with his. She saved Thunder and kept him from having to start all over again. Because of her, Thunder would be well enough to breed and give him the base needed to start giving him a real income. Still smiling, Jana pulled back and pinched her nose.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He laughed and loosened his grip around her. “Are you trying to tell me I stink?” She nodded. “Okay.” He gave her another quick kiss. “Tell me. Is she really—?” Jana nodded, pulled out of his arms, and signed, “She’s taking some weight, though not a lot, but I think she’ll heal. She’s eating and drinking and calm.” He couldn’t stop grinning. “Thank you.” She shook her head. “She’s a strong horse, and she did very well. It’s due to you, not me.” “Bullshit. I was going to put her down.” He reached out to touch her cheek, but realized how filthy he was. “Okay, you’re right. I need a shower.” Jana nodded but leaned into him, despite how he must smell, and kissed him. When she pulled back, she signed, “Jason filled my holding tank today. You could…” She stopped and glanced away, looking unsure of herself. She caught her lip between her teeth then continued. “You could come over, if you want.” There was no doubt how difficult that offer was for her to make. “I’d like to come over, babe. But I think I’ll go grab a shower in the cabin. I saw the size of your bathroom, and think I might hurt myself if I try showering there. I can get some clean clothes and be there in fifteen minutes?” She grinned and nodded. “I would like that. Barb said there’s food in the big house for you when you got back.” He picked up her plate and cup. “I’ll take these back, then.” He kissed her again then motioned toward the door. “Come on, let’s go. I want to get you in my arms and thank you properly.” Her breathy laugh gusted out, warming his heart. * * * * * Jana put food and fresh water in Rocky’s bowls, then scrounged through her underwear drawer and found her sexiest pair of panties—not
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella that black cotton bikinis were that sexy, but it was the best she could do. She took off her prosthetic and rushed through a shower. She had just pulled on the panties and a silky black tank top when the knock came on the camper door. She glanced down at herself as she sat on the edge of the bed, her heart thudding erratically in her chest. It had been a long time since she wanted to look good for a man. Wanted to be attractive. She touched her stump and sighed. This was as good as she could do. The door opened and Dan stepped up into the camper. “Mmm. Smells good in here.” He stepped past her and set another picnic basket on the counter, then turned toward her with that gentle, sexy smile that softened his eyes. “You’re beautiful.” Her face heated at the compliment, and she ducked her head. The bed shifted slightly as he sat down next to her. He picked up her hand and laced their fingers together, leaned toward her, pushed her hair behind her shoulder, and nuzzled her neck. “You are, babe. You’re gorgeous.” He licked that too‐sensitive spot beneath her ear, making her shiver. “You smell like flowers and taste like honey.” His arm wound around her and he leaned her back, rising over her. “Your eyes show all your emotions.” He kissed her cheek, right over the scar. “And your lips were made for kissing.” He captured her lips and sank his tongue into her. He tasted of coffee and mint, smelled of soap and musky cologne. She sighed into his mouth and wound her arms around his shoulders. As he deepened the kiss, she tugged his T‐shirt from his waistband and ran her nails up his back. He groaned. “God, I love it when you do that,” he murmured against her lips. She repeated the action and he arched against her so she could feel his long, thick erection through his denims against her hip. She pulled his shirt off over his head, and then his hand snuck up her shirt to cover her breast. Oh yeah, she thought as her nipple puckered under his gentle caress. He nibbled at her lips, along the line of her jaw, down her neck.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She speared her fingers through his soft, damp hair. Heaven. His touch took her straight to heaven. Moving lower, he pushed her tank up and licked her right nipple, swirled his tongue, then drew it in and suckled. Her hips rose of their own accord, heat pooling between her thighs, the thrum of arousal coursing through her veins, heating her as no blanket ever could. Kissing a path down her belly, he scooted off the bed until he knelt on the floor between her legs. And then she felt his warm breath at the apex of her thighs and her mind cried for more as she rose up, offering herself to him, needing him. He skimmed her panties down her legs then moved back into place, raising her thighs to his shoulders. “Please,” she mouthed, “please, now,” even though she knew he wasn’t watching her, couldn’t hear her. She longed to speak to him, to tell him what she needed. Instead, she touched his cheeks with her fingertips, ran her hands up into his hair, and then gently pulled him toward her. The first stroke of his tongue started a tidal wave in her belly. His fingers parted her then sank into her. The wave grew, spread through her. He suckled and it crashed through her, tearing a silent cry from deep within her. She bucked against his mouth, clutched at his shoulders, every muscle in her body tightening as another wave grew and crashed. She sank back onto the mattress, gasping for breath. Dan rose above her, ripped open his buttons, sheathed on a condom, and then he was over her, inside her, thrusting her into another climax that made her head spin and stars explode behind her eyes. “Jana!” he shouted as he came. “My sweet Jana.” He groaned and wrapped his arms around her, his hips still pumping. “I love you,” she mouthed against his shoulder, knowing the words would forever be silent to him. “I love you.”
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Chapter Nine “You’ve spoiled her,” Dan said to Jana. Rocky, sprawled out on her back between them, looked as content as a baby with the attention she was receiving. When he stopped moving his hand over her belly, she raised her head and made a strange little moaning sound. When he started scratching her again, she flopped her head back. He chuckled. “Spoiled rotten. But she better stop with the nose in my ear while I’m trying to sleep. Forget chucking wood. I was about ready to see if woodchucks could fly last night.” Jana’s breathy laugh made him smile, and he loved how her moss green eyes sparkled in the early morning sunlight streaming through the window over the bed. Golden highlights shone in her russet hair. No one had ever looked more beautiful to him. “You’re getting that look in your eyes,” Jana signed. “What look?” Her lips tipped up on the right side in a mischievous grin. “That look. The one you get before you…” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Ohh. That look.” He chuckled. “I didn’t know I looked at you any other way.” Her cheeks flushed a bit pink and her gaze dropped to his chest. Without warning, she scooped Rocky up, turned and deposited the rodent behind her, and then threw herself against him, winding her arms around his neck and plastering her lips against his.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He grunted in surprise when she pushed him onto his back and straddled his thighs, his body responding with lightening speed to her soft, warm, naked flesh against him. Wrapping his arms around her, he returned her kiss, thrusting his tongue. He felt a sense of desperation from her and it scared him. Her hands were tight in his hair, her kisses hard and hungry, needy. She pulled away, her breath sawing in and out, and nipped at his neck, his shoulder. Her nails scored down his arms as she sat up. Meeting his gaze, she reached above him and pulled down a condom from the ever‐shrinking supply. She ripped the pack open and carefully rolled it on him. “I want you,” she mouthed, her hands stroking him. He nodded. “Take me,” he whispered. She rose up and came down over him in one long, slow thrust that had him groaning and reaching for her. Her back arched and her face contorted with a look of ecstasy as she threw her head back and guided his hands to her breasts. Dan thrust his hips upward and watched as color infused her cheeks, her eyelids drooped with her pleasure, and her mouth dropped open on a silent sigh. They made love twice last night, and still he craved her. Would always desire her. How would he survive when she left him? Never in his life had he loved anyone as much as he loved her. Wrapping his hands around her back, he pulled her down over him and kissed her deep as he thrust up into her with long, measured strokes. He couldn’t say the words because they intoned a promise he couldn’t keep, but he could show her, make her feel his love. Her arms wound around his neck, and she clung to him as he ate at her mouth. He cupped her smooth round butt in his palms, and then he rolled with her, coming down on top of her and taking her deep. With her heavy pants in his ear, he buried his face against her fragrant neck and slowed the pace, making it last. He wanted it to last. Forever would never be long enough with Jana. Eternity. How could he ever let her go?
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Her left leg came up over his thighs. He groaned as he sank even deeper into her heat. His control slipped when her muscles began to pulse around him, her breaths ragged in his ear. He nipped her throat and her body bowed beneath him. When her nails scored down his back, he thrust into her and came with a long, shuddering groan. Jana followed him into the ecstasy with her silent cry of surrender. Dan rolled to the side, taking her with him. He bumped into Rocky who made a pissed off chatter and jumped onto the window ledge. Dan chuckled. “We’ve corrupted the child.” Jana’s breathy laugh fanned against his chest as she tucked her head beneath his chin, their limbs intertwined. “Hmm,” he said after they caught their breath. “I thought you said I was the one with that look in my eye. Seems to me you just…attacked me.” She laughed again and punched his arm. “Oh, I’m not complaining. In fact, you’re welcome to do that any time you like.” Leaning back a bit, she looked up at him, a soft smile on her sweet lips. She reached up and laid her palm against his cheek. God, he could drown in those eyes, he thought. Did she feel for him as he felt for her? Even a little? If the tender look in her eyes meant anything, she did. Or was that just post‐climax lethargy? He kissed her cheek, the tip of her nose, her eyelid, and then he nuzzled his way to her lips. It would be so easy to tell her how he felt, he thought as he brushed his mouth against hers. So easy…and so wrong. “When are you leaving?” She dipped her head for a second before she pulled back enough to sign, “We have to be in Three Forks on Saturday morning. So we need to leave Friday afternoon at the latest.” Just three more days, Dan though, his chest tightening. “Come over to the cabin tonight? Let me cook you dinner?” She wrinkled her brow. “You cook?” He grinned. “I know how to use a can opener.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She laughed. “Seriously. I’ll tell Bobby to make himself scarce and I’ll cook you supper and…” “And?” And tie you to my bed so you can never leave. Instead of voicing his thoughts, he kissed her. “And whatever you want, babe. Absolutely anything.” She nuzzled his cheek with her nose, a sweet gesture that reminded him of Rocky. When he chuckled at his thoughts, she buried her face against his chest, wrapped her arms around him, and sighed. He wished he could spend the day here in bed with her, but he had work to do. Lots of work. He yawned and closed his eyes. Just a couple more minutes, he thought, idly running his fingers up and down Jana’s back. The camper door swung open, startling them both into grabbing for the quilt and nearly falling off the bed as they reached for it. “Oh!” Valisa said, her eyes wide. “Oh. Sorry.” She turned away and the door slammed shut. Jana covered her face with her hand. “Hey, it’s not like I didn’t hear her and Bobby going at all night. She’s not exactly unenlightened when it comes to sex.” Dropping her hand, she shook her head, her mouth turned down in a frown. “What? Why are you upset she saw us? I mean…not that I wanted to be seen, but it’s no big deal. We’re all adults.” Jana gave him a look he couldn’t decipher then sat up on the edge of the bed. “Hey. What’s wrong?” He moved next to her and put his arm around her shoulder. She looked at him again, then away. “It’s complicated,” she signed, then reached for her prosthetic. Disgusted—once again—at her attitude toward Valisa, he leaned over and picked up his underwear off the floor. “Yeah, apparently it is complicated. At least in your head.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She glared at him. “You don’t know anything,” she signed after she attached the leg. “Because you won’t explain it.” He stood up and pulled on his jeans. “It’s none of your business. Hand me my shirt.” He picked it up off the floor and tossed it to her. “Maybe I want it to be my business. Maybe I want to know you better.” “There’s no point.” It couldn’t have hurt worse if she stuck a knife through his heart. He knew there was no point. In three days she would be gone. But that didn’t make it any easier. He stomped into his boots and grabbed his shirt. “I have work to do.” After throwing open the camper door, he stopped. He couldn’t leave like this. Didn’t want to be angry with her. He turned back to Jana, hauled her into his arms, and kissed her hard. She melted against him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Tonight?” She nodded. “I’m sorry,” he murmured against her lips. “I don’t want to argue with you.” She shook her head and then pushed back. “You should go.” He nodded, kissed her one last time, and then left the camper. How was he going to survive losing her? * * * * * Valisa stood by as Jana saddled Godiva for her. Jana idly wondered if the girl even knew how to do it herself. Maybe it was time to stop babying her so much. Make her carry some of the weight of tending to the mare. “Look. About this morning. I didnʹt know…” Jana turned to Val and raised an eyebrow, shocked that what was coming out of her sister’s mouth almost sounded like an apology.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “I mean, you’ve never had a man in the camper before. I know he was there the other morning, but I didn’t know you were actually sleeping with him.” Well, so much for an apology, she thought as she turned back to Godiva. There was no missing the censure in Val’s tone. Like she had any right to judge. The girl went through men like underwear. Why couldn’t she be allowed one brief affair? Hell, they wouldn’t even be on the Rocky Basin if it wasn’t for Val’s lusting over Bobby. At least Dan had some class. “He’s a bit young for you, though, don’t you think?” Val asked. Jana rolled her eyes and tightened the saddle into place. Last year Val had a three‐day fling with a man the same age as their father. “Bobby said he’s an ex‐con, too, and that he’s on parole or something. He’s not even allowed to leave the ranch without written permission from Carl and the guy who’s supposed to keep track of him.” Parole officer, you twit. Jana checked Godiva’s bit and then ran her hand down the mare’s legs checking for warm spots, but the horse was in fantastic shape. “Are you listening to me?” Val said, her tone rising. “Bobby said he killed someone.” Jana grabbed her wipe board from where it sat atop the stall gate and wrote, I know! Back off. “But he’s a murderer, Jana.” Jana swiped her sleeve over the board and wrote, So am I. It’s a match made in heaven. She tossed the board to the floor and handed Val Godiva’s reins before stalking out of the barn. Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to cry anymore. Was she never to have any little bit of happiness? Ever? She stopped at the corral fence and gripped the top rail until her hands hurt. She let her gaze roam over the blue mountains in the distance, the white puffy clouds floating overhead, and then focus in closer at the prime grazing land dotted with black and brown cattle. The corals beyond the one set up for Val to train had several healthy horses roaming around. Such a beautiful place.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Val rode Godiva into the practice area and walked the mare in a circle, warming her up. And the people on the Rocky Basin, she thought. Barb and Carl had gone out of their way to make both her and Val welcome. Jason asked her at least once a day if she needed anything, filling her water holding tank, offering Kelly’s assistance if her legs were still bothering her. Western hospitality at its finest. Her father’s ranch wasn’t like this. He employed a number of ranch hands that stayed in the bunkhouse. They didn’t interact with the family, probably because her father forbid it. The only person on the Star K who ever went out of his way to speak to her was a grizzled old coot named Sal. He’d worked for her grandfather when the Star K was a fledgling cattle ranch in the early fifties. She smiled, thinking of Sal. His hands were gnarled with arthritis, and he was as crotchety as an old bull, but he always spared time to share a story or two with her. He had even gone out of his way to learn enough sign language that she didn’t have to write on her board with him…as long as she signed slowly. It was a sad thing, she realized, that he was the only person on her family ranch that she would miss if she didn’t go home. Leaning forward, she rested her forehead on the warm rough wood. But she would go home, because she didn’t belong here no matter how much of her heart would remain when she left. She looked up to see Val taking a few practice turns around the barrels, getting Godiva ready for the run. She fished the stopwatch out of her pocket and set it. Val had taken second place at the East Helena Valley Rodeo last weekend, and with the line‐up for the Three Forks Rodeo this coming weekend, she might take first place. She had already competed against everyone scheduled, and she was better than them. But she hadn’t been practicing as she should. “Ready,” Val called, taking her position to start the run. Jana nodded and the routine began. The same routine they’d followed for almost a decade.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella A half hour later, Jana raised her hand at the end of one of Val’s runs and motioned her over. She held up the stopwatch, so Val could see her time, and then shook her head. She was at least five seconds too slow to even come close to taking on the competition this weekend. Jana wanted to chew her out for her laziness the past few days, but she just didn’t have it in her. Besides, she left her wipe board on the floor in the barn. “I can do better,” Val said and reined Godiva away. She walked the mare around the edge of the corral, cooling her down a bit before starting the next run. Jana turned her head when she heard several horses coming toward her. Carl, Bobby and Dan were riding in through the eastern pasture. The three big men cut quite a figure riding through the short grass on dark horses. But Dan was the one her gaze zeroed in on. Sitting tall in his saddle, his body moved comfortably with the gelding’s smooth gait. He laughed at something one of the other men said, and the sound was sweet as it floated to her on the calm early evening air. A car came down the driveway, pulling her attention away. It was Kelly, coming home from her early day at the clinic. Kelly pulled up in front of the small house where she and Jason lived and stepped out of the compact car. She lifted a hand and waved at Jana, her mint green scrubs almost matching the color of the car. Jana returned the wave and smiled. Kelly disappeared into her house. “Ready,” Val called. Jana turned back to her sister and nodded, then clicked the stopwatch. Her time improved by two seconds. Jana motioned for her to do it again by raising her finger in the air and making a circle. Three more rounds all clocking the exact same time. Come on, Val…pick it up! She frowned at her sister as she rode by the fence. “Hey there gorgeous.” Jana grinned and turned to look up into Dan’s dark, smiling eyes. “Hi,” she signed. “Good day?”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella He gave a quick nod, then placed his leather‐gloved hands against the fence rail on either side of her head and leaned down to kiss her. She sighed and felt herself melting. Everything inside her turned to mush when he kissed her. She grabbed the front of his work shirt and tried pulling him closer, but he straightened his arms and pulled away. “I seriously doubt you want to do that, babe. I’m all sweaty and probably smell a lot like cow shit.” She laughed. He did smell bad. But when he kissed her, she didn’t care. “Ready,” Val called. So what? Jana thought and framed Dan’s face in her hands. It was time to call it a night anyway. Dan was home, and he was going to cook her dinner. “You bringing Rocky over with you?” She went up on tiptoe and kissed him, then pulled back and signed, “You want me to?” He shrugged. “Sure, why not? Don’t want to leave her all alone out there all night, do you?” “All night?” Jana raised her eyebrows. Dan leaned forward and nuzzled her cheek, then whispered in her ear. “My bed’s bigger than yours, and a lot softer. Bobby’s going to take Val into town for a night out so we’ll be alone.” He captured her earlobe between his teeth, making her shiver as goose bumps popped out over her arms. “And I have that nice big tub…” She nodded, grinned, and pushed against his chest. “You’re going to trap Rocky in the tub so she can’t stick her nose in your ear, aren’t you?” Dan threw his head back and laughed. “Hadn’t thought of that, but good plan.” He gazed into her eyes for a long moment, then leaned down again and brushed his lips over hers. “I thought about you all day,” he whispered. Val called, “Ready,” again. She nodded, bumping her nose against his. She’d thought about him too.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Ever try riding a horse with a hard‐on? Not the most comfortable thing in the world.” Laughing, she shoved his shoulder. “Will you be done here soon? I’m going to go shower and light the grill. Steak and potatoes sound good?” Jana signed, “Should be done soon. Steak and potatoes sound great.” Val screamed. Godiva screamed. Jana turned in time to see the horse skid into a slide on her side at the far end of the coral. The horse rolled to her feet and whinnied. Val lay motionless on the ground against one of the fifty‐five gallon barrels.
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Chapter Ten Jana dropped the stopwatch and gasped. Dan hopped up on the coral fence, vaulted over it, and took off at a run toward Val. “Get Kelly!” he yelled at her. Jana stood there a moment, torn between going to Val and doing as he said. He landed on his knees next to Val. “Now, Jana!” he shouted and ripped off his shirt and pressed it against Val’s face. Oh, God. What was wrong with her? Jana turned and took off at a skipping run toward Jason and Kelly’s house. The men came out of the barn. Carl and Bobby went over the fence toward Dan. Jason said, “I’ll get her,” as he ran past on his way to his house. Jana stopped in the middle of the yard, her heart thudding in her throat, tears blurring her vision. She turned and stared at the men huddled around Val. Kelly and Jason came out of the house at a run, the screen door slapping hard behind them. Jana’s blood roared in her ears. “Hospital…nose…out cold…” The words came to her from the group around Val. “Don’t move her!” Kelly said as she knelt next to Val. “Her neck…” Jana’s stomach turned, and she thought she might vomit. Instead, she took a couple gulping breaths, headed around the corral to the gate, and went through. She stopped out of the way of those helping Val and peered over Kelly’s shoulder at her sister.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Blood trickled from her nose and badly cut lip that was already swelling. Jana’s stomach heaved. Carl, the cell phone held to his hear, asked Kelly, “Can we move her? Medevac will take an hour. We can get her into Adobe Grande in twenty minutes if we drive her.” Kelly ran her hands under Val’s neck then turned to Jason. “Go get the C‐spine collar and the backboard. She’s going to have to go in the back of the truck. I don’t want to take any chances with possible spinal injuries. She’s breathing all right, though.” Tears erupted from Jana’s eyes and she clamped her hand over her mouth. Oh, God. Oh, God. Jason left the group. “The backboard should fit on the floor of their camper,” Dan said. “Might be safer.” “Good thinking, son,” Carl said as he flipped his cell closed. “You and Bobby, go get the trailer unhitched and bring the truck over here.” Dan stood up and turned to her, then pulled her into his arms for a brief moment. “She’ll be okay, babe. Where’s your keys?” Jana pushed back from him and signed with shaky hands, “Above the visor.” He kissed her hard and headed toward the truck with Bobby. Numb, Jana could do nothing but stand back and let Kelly, Jason and Carl take care of her sister. She could take care of horses and stupid little woodchucks but, when it mattered, when her own sister’s life was in danger, she was at a total loss. Oh, God. Spinal injury. Paralyses. Brain damage. When they slowly rolled Val onto the backboard, Val moaned. “You’re okay,” Kelly said to her. “We’re going to get you to the hospital. You’ll be okay.” “Hurts,” Val sobbed and tried to reach for her face. Jason caught her hands and held them at her sides until Kelly could get her strapped tight to the backboard. “Lay still, Valisa,” Jason said in a soft, low tone. “We’re going to get you to the hospital.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Val sobbed and Jana’s heart bled for her. Barb came jogging across the coral as Bobby drove the truck up close. “What happened?” Barb asked. “Valisa took a spill off Godiva. We’re taking her into town.” Barb wrapped her arm around Jana and rubbed her arm. “You okay?” Me? Jana thought. I’m not the one whose face is bleeding and swelling. Bobby and Dan jumped out of the truck. Dan opened the camper door. Rocky came ambling over, and Dan lifted the woodchuck out and handed her to Jana, then jumped up into the camper. Jana watched, helpless, as the men lifted the backboard with Val on it into the back of the camper. Val sobbed and cried that it hurt. Bobby and Kelly climbed into the camper, and Dan came out. He shut the door. “Give that thing to Barb,” Carl said, pointing to Rocky. “I’ll drive. Get in,” he said to Jana and Dan. “I can’t…” Dan motioned to the truck. Carl leaned in close to Dan, but Jana still heard his words. “I’ll take care of it. Jana needs you.” Jana handed Rocky over to Barb, who took the woodchuck without hesitation, and then Dan took her hand and led her around the truck to the passenger door. She realized Godiva was still standing nearby in her saddle. She pulled away and was going to go to the horse, but Dan caught her hand. “Barb’ll take care of her. Get in the truck.” She didn’t want to go to the hospital. Her breaths quickened and nausea cramped her stomach. Couldn’t go to the hospital. Still holding her hand, Dan opened the passenger door then lifted her in. Before she could scramble out, she was boxed in between Carl and Dan. Tears streamed down her cheeks and panic gripped her. Val was going to die. She was going to die. Or be paralyzed. The truck started moving and Jana tried to scramble over Dan’s lap, reaching for the door handle.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Sit down, babe,” Dan said, pinning her against the seat. Then he reached around her, grabbed the seatbelt, and strapped her into place. “Everything’s going to be okay.” She shook her head. Dan’s big, warm hands cupped her fear‐chilled cheeks. He looked into her eyes. “They’ve got good doctors in Adobe Grande. They’ll take care of her.” Jana collapsed against his still bare chest and sobbed. Val had to be all right. * * * * * An hour later, Dan watched as Jana paced the too‐small waiting room while Bobby and Carl sat in the vinyl chairs. He leaned against the wall wearing a scrub top that Kelly had found for him so he wasn’t walking around the hospital bare‐chested. His heart went out to Jana. She was distressed and shaking, but when he tried to hold her, she pulled away. She wouldn’t drink the tea he brought her. And she wouldn’t talk. Val was having a CT scan. Kelly was with her, keeping them apprised of the situation whenever she heard anything. Valisa was conscious, but her nose was broken and she needed at least dozen stitches in her lower lip. A couple of her teeth were cracked but hadn’t fallen out. She’d face‐planted into the barrel, and now they were checking for any potential spinal or head injuries. Jana stopped pacing and turned to him. “Have to call my father.” He nodded. “Okay. I’m sure they have at teletypewriter here.” She shook her head. “You call. He won’t answer TTY.” Dan scowled. A man who wouldn’t answer a phone call that was obviously from his daughter? What was with this damn family? “Carl,” Dan said, “Can we use your phone to call Jana’s father?” Carl stood up. “Maybe I should call.” Jana nodded hard. “Please,” she signed, and Dan interpreted. Handing her the phone, Carl said, “If you’ll dial, I’ll talk.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Jana took the little phone in her shaking hands and punched in the number, then handed it back to Carl who pressed the Send button. “Yes, may I speak with Mr. Kincaid please?” Jana grabbed Dan’s hand. Her palm was cold and damp, her nails dug into his flesh. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. “It’s okay, babe.” She shook her head then buried her face against his neck. He held her shaking body close and willed her to calm. He understood being upset, but this seemed beyond worry for her sister. And he wished like hell he understood. “Mr. Kincaid, this is Carl Harrington… That’s right sir, of the Rocky Basin. I’m sorry to be calling under these circumstances, but there’s been an accident… Valisa, sir… She’s at the hospital now… Yes, sir, I’m there with her… No sir, she’s getting a CT scan … She fell off Godiva… No, sir, we don’t know the extent of her injuries yet… Yes, sir. Adobe Grande Municipal Airport… I’ll meet you there myself…” Carl shut the phone. “Your dad is calling his pilot now. He’ll be here in an hour or so.” Jana pulled out of Dan’s arms, her eyes downcast. She nodded, stumbled over to a chair and sat down hard, her shoulders hunched, her head bowed. Dan looked at Carl for help. He didn’t understand Jana’s reaction to hearing her father was on his way. Why wasn’t she happy that he was coming? Carl glanced at Jana and shook his head, then leaned in and whispered, “Stay by her side. Laramie Kincaid is a formidable man.” “You know him?” “Met him once a few years back at a cattle sale. I didn’t know he had two daughters, but he bragged endlessly about his champion barrel racer.” Dan looked over at Jana. Her hands were clenched in white‐ knuckled fists in her lap as she stared at the floor. It looked like Valisa wasn’t the only one in the family that treated her badly. “I’ll take care of her,” he promised.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella * * * * * At nine that night, Jana pushed away from Dan’s comforting embrace when she saw her father and Carl come through the sliding glass doors of the hospital. Her stomach clenched as she stood up. He looked short and round walking next to Carl, his skin pale, his shock of white hair neatly combed as always. Laramie didn’t even look at her as he strode up to the counter and demanded to see his daughter. Kelly stood up from the other side of her and went to him, then led him down the hall to Val’s room. I think I’m going to be sick. I’m going to puke. She covered her mouth and ran for the bathroom just around the corner from the waiting room. She made it to the toilet before she heaved. Tears ran down her cheeks as fear gripped her. She wrapped her arms around her waist, trying to stop her body from shaking. Her father was going to kill her. He was going to blame her. He was going to yell at her and make a scene. “Babe?” Dan called from the doorway. “You okay?” The stall door was open behind her as she stood poised over the toilet in case her stomach tumbled again. “Jana?” She heard his cowboy boots on the tile floor as he moved into the restroom. She shook her head and waved her hand at him without turning around. She wished he hadn’t come to the hospital. She didn’t want him to witness what she knew was coming. “Sweetheart,” he said from directly behind her. “Valisa’s going to be fine. You heard the doctor. She’s got a concussion and a broken nose, but she’ll be fine.” He didn’t understand. Yes, she was relieved Val would be fine, but now she had to face her father. It would be easier if she were the one lying in that bed with a smashed face. She wished it was her. Everything would be much simpler. Hell, if it were her, Laramie wouldn’t have bothered to show up.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Jana, babe. What’s wrong?” She flushed the toilet and turned around, pushed past him and went to the sink to wash her face. Dan sighed. “I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.” After splashing cold water on her face and rinsing her mouth, she grabbed a handful of paper towel and blotted her cheeks. She threw the towels in the garbage then faced Dan. “You can’t help me,” she signed. “There’s nothing wrong.” This is my life, she thought. “Nothing’s wrong? You’re barfing up your guts and nothing’s wrong?” He stepped forward and clasped her upper arms. “You’re shaking like a damn leaf. Tell me what has got you so uptight.” She was tempted. Dan’s deep brown eyes were so tender and filled with caring, she wanted to spill her guts and tell him her fears, what was making her so terrified, but she couldn’t. It was her burden to bear, not his. “Where the hell is she?” she heard Laramie bellow from outside the bathroom door. “Jana, you get out here now.” She bit her lip and pulled out of Dan’s grip. “Please go home,” she signed. “What?” “Leave the hospital. Go back to the ranch.” He made a face. “You’re joking, right? I’m not leaving you.” She swallowed hard. “I don’t want you here.” He stared at her a long moment, as if he was considering her words, but then he shook his head. “I don’t believe you, and I’m not leaving your side until you calm down.” “Damn it, girl, get out here.” She raised her hand to her throbbing temple. “Fine then,” she signed. “Interpret for me.” If he wasn’t going to leave, he could make himself useful. “Your dad doesn’t read sign either?” She shook her head. Only Sal, she thought. He’s the only one who ever cared enough.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She clenched her teeth and straightened her shoulders, steeling her spine for what she knew was about to happen. “Your family is just full of winners, isn’t it?” She agreed, but didn’t bother to answer as she pushed open the bathroom door and met her father face‐to‐face.
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Chapter Eleven “What the hell happened?” Laramie demanded, as soon as Jana cleared the bathroom doorway. Dan stepped forward, trying to shield her from her father’s obvious wrath. “Valisa took a spill off Godi—“ “Who the hell are you?” the man barked. He held out his hand. “Orville Daniels.” Laramie folded his arms over his chest and glared at Dan. Even though he was a good six inches shorter than Dan, her father’s presence was threatening. Dan dropped his hand. “You a doctor?” Laramie’s glanced at the mint green scrub top he wore. Dan shook his head. “No, sir. I work on the Rocky Basin.” Laramie dismissed him and turned back to her. “What the hell happened?” he repeated. Jana signed, “I think Godiva slipped and threw her.” Dan interpreted. “What do you mean, you think? You don’t know? Where the hell were you?” “I was there,” she signed. “Then tell me exactly what happened if you saw it.” Dan could see the train wreck coming before Jana started signing. He was the one who distracted her. “I had my back turned for a few minutes,” Jana signed.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Laramie narrowed his eyes at her, and Dan wanted to move between them. Kelly stepped up on the other side of Jana and laid her hand on Jana’s shoulder. Carl came up behind Jana. “Mr. Kincaid,” Carl said. “From what we can figure, Valisa took Godiva into a tight turn and the mare lost her footing. Valisa was thrown face‐first into one of the barrels.” “And no one actually saw it happen? Do you normally let guests get hurt on your ranch? Ride unsupervised? Was the practice ground groomed properly?” Dan glanced at Carl. His boss’ face was set in a hard mask. He opened is mouth to retort when Jana quickly signed, “It was my fault, not theirs. The grounds are sound. Maybe I didn’t cinch the saddle tight enough, or I let Val practice too long and Godiva was getting tired.” Dan stared at her in disbelief. When he didn’t tell Laramie what she said, they both looked at him. He shook his head. What was she doing taking blame for a fucking accident? “Tell him,” Jana signed, tears in her eyes. “Please. Or he might sue Carl. Don’t let him hurt these people. They don’t deserve this.” “What did she say?” Laramie asked, his voice low and hard through clenched teeth. Dan glanced at Carl, then at Kelly. The both gave him a nod, even though they had no clue what Jana was saying. Would this bastard actually sue Carl because his daughter got hurt on their land? “Damn it,” Laramie growled, growing even more impatient. “She said that Godiva might have been tired. Val had been practicing for a long time before the accident occurred.” “You let Val practice on a tired horse? Where’s your head, girl?” Laramie shook his head, his mouth twisted in disgust. “I knew I should never have trusted you to watch out for her. You never were worth the space you occupy.” Dan took a step toward Laramie, ready to pound the bastard’s face, but Jana caught his sleeve. When he looked at her, she was shaking her
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella head at him, her face pale, tears shimmering in her eyes that she valiantly fought back. “Where’s the nearest hotel?” Laramie asked Carl. “Two blocks south.” “I saw my truck outside. Where’s the keys?” Carl dug into his pocket and withdrew the key ring with the pink plastic horse on it, and handed it over to the man. “Let’s go,” he said to Jana, then turned on his heel and strode toward the door. Jana started after him, but Dan caught her hand and pulled her to a stop. He couldn’t stand the thought of Jana with this asshole. “Stay at the ranch,” he said. “You don’t have to go with him.” “You’re welcome to come home with us,” Carl said, backing him up. Jana shook her head and a tear slipped from her eye. “I have to go with him.” “No, you don’t.” Dan stepped closer to her, cupped her cheek. “Babe, you don’t have to put up with that shit,” he whispered. “You’re a grown woman. Don’t let him treat you that way.” She closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, her tears were gone. Pulling away from him, she signed, “Please take care of Rocky until we get there to pick up Godiva. Cook down some of Godiva’s grain for her. She likes yogurt for a treat.” Anger seethed through Dan as he stood in the middle of the hospital lobby and watched Jana limp away. * * * * * Jana climbed into the truck and quietly closed the door. “I can’t believe you let this happen,” her father said as he threw the truck into gear and pulled out of the parking lot. “Don’t you have any sense of responsibility? Isn’t it bad enough that she has to run around with all these men? The least you can do is make sure she doesn’t get hurt. Now she’s going to be out of competition the rest of the summer. Do you
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella know how much a plastic surgeon is going to cost to get that lip fixed? Her teeth? Christ, Jana, I can’t believe you did this.” Jana stared out the window trying to block her father’s hateful words. No, she hadn’t been watching Val when it happened, but what good would that be? Godiva fell. It happens. It had happened before. But Val never got hurt before. Nothing more than a sprained ankle once, and she was healed up in a couple of days. This was not her fault. “Are you listening to me, girl? Do you have any idea how much money you just cost me?” He never put out any extra money for me to see a plastic surgeon. She raised her hand and ran her fingers over the scar on her cheek. Laramie Kincaid was one of the richest damn cattle barons in Montana, and he was bitching about helping his daughter. His good daughter. God forbid he ever lay out a cent for Jana. Jana wasn’t worth the space she occupied. “And think about Valisa. That poor girl is in so much pain they had to give her morphine to get through the night. And what is she going to do if she can’t compete?” Lounge by the pool? Sleep ’til noon? Jana hated that Val was in pain, but didn’t her father realize the fucking hell she lived through ten years ago? What kind of pain she was in now when she overtaxed herself? A broken nose? A few stitches? She would laugh aloud if she could. She’d take ten broken noses if she could have her leg back. Her father pulled the truck into the parking lot of the Adobe Grande Sleepy Time Motel. He turned to look at her then shook his head. “I suppose you’re going to want your own room, too,” he said, disgust dripping in his tone. Jana shook her head and pointed at the back of the truck. She’d rather stay in the camper than anywhere near him. Laramie got out of the truck and slammed the door, never even looking back as he strode into the motel office. Jana opened the door and slid out of the truck. She locked the doors and then made her way to the camper. She climbed up inside, shut and locked the door behind her. Val’s blood was on the floor. Jana got a towel
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella from beneath the sink and wet it, then carefully knelt down and scrubbed the rust‐colored splotch on the gray rug. A tear fell from her eye and landed on her hand. And then another. She slumped to the side, leaning against the bed frame, and buried her face in her hands. Why? She wanted to scream. To rage at the unfairness of it all. Why didn’t her father love her? Why had she always—even before her mother’s death—been the one who could never do anything right? She heaved in a deep breath, but more tears came. How long do I need to be punished? * * * * * The cell phone on Dan’s belt buzzed, and he jerked it open. “Yeah.” “Their coming down the drive now.” “Thanks.” He snapped the phone shut, turned Buster with a sharp jerk of the reins, and nudged the horse into a run across the field toward the ranch house. He’d asked Barb to call him when Jana showed up. The last two days were hell on him, knowing she was so close, yet so damn far out of his reach. He didn’t understand her one bit. She was a thirty‐five year old woman, yet she let her father treat her like shit. She just stood there and not only took his badmouthing, but then tried to take the blame for an accident in order to keep her father from suing Carl. On the way home, when Carl had asked what had been said because it was obvious he hadn’t repeated her words verbatim, Dan told him what she’d said. Carl’s reply was, “Let the asshole try it.” Dan pulled Buster to a skidding halt beside the barn and vaulted off his back when he saw Jana leading Godiva toward the pink trailer. “Jana,” he called as he jogged up to her. She turned and looked at him, but this wasn’t the Jana he knew. Her beautiful eyes were dull, not shining like before. She had deep purple
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella circles under her eyes and her skin was pale. There was no welcoming smile on her thinned lips. “Babe.” He stepped up to her. “Hi, Dan,” she signed, then turned away and kept walking. His breath hitched and his chest tightened. What the hell…? He grabbed her hand to stop her. “Jana. What’s happened?” She shrugged and pulled her hand from his loose grip. “We’re going home. Val is getting released this afternoon.” Her chin quivered. “Will you keep Rocky? She needs a new home.” Tears pooled in her eyes, but she turned away again. Dan stood there watching as she wrapped the shin guards around Godiva’s legs and then loaded her into the trailer. He didn’t know what to do. Why the hell was she giving him Rocky? What… “What the fuck are you doing?” The words were out before he could stop them. Jana didn’t even look at him. She came out of the trailer then went into the other side and brought out Rocky’s little air‐conditioned pet carrier. She set it on the ground at his feet. Carl and Barb came across the yard carrying Godiva’s tack and feed. One by one, they handed her the items, and she hung them on the wall and latched them into place with bungee cords. Satisfied everything was secure, Jana came out of the trailer and carefully closed and locked the doors. Then she turned to Barb and Carl and signed, “Thank you.” Barb hugged her. “You’re welcome, Jana. And you’re welcome back any time. I mean that.” Carl shook her hand then kissed her cheek. “I second that. You ever need a place, we’re here.” “Thank you,” she signed again. Carl and Barb walked away. Jana stood unmoving, her back to him. Pain ripped through him at the thought of her walking away. Of getting in that damn pink truck and leaving the Rocky Basin. “Don’t go,” he whispered then cringed. What could he give her? He had nothing. But she would be taken care of here. Carl and Barb
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella would see to that. “Thomas offered you a job. The Rocky Basin could use its own vet,” he said, grasping at anything he could. “You about done, girl?” Laramie barked from the cab of the pickup. Dan saw Jana’s shoulders tense. “Turn around and look at me, damn it,” Dan said in a fierce whisper, his throat too tight to say it any louder. Jana slowly turned, her gaze roaming over the land until she faced him. The tears streaming down her face broke his heart in two. He took a step toward her, but she held up her hand to stop him. She licked her lips then signed, “I can’t stay here, Dan. My mother died in a car crash that was my fault. We were fighting and I wasn’t watching the road. A stupid argument because I didn’t want to spend the summer driving Val from one rodeo to another. My mother’s dying words were that I had to take care of Val. That’s what I’ve got to do until she’s ready to take care of herself.” “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. She’s a grown woman. You need to live your own life. This accident wasn’t your fault, and I seriously doubt the one that killed your mother was your fault either. It’s time you stop blaming yourself. And stop letting your father treat you like a damn slave.” He grabbed her by the arms, wanting to shake her. Instead, he pulled her against his chest and buried his face in her hair. “Don’t go, Jana.” She pushed against his chest, but he held her tight. “Damn it, Jana,” he whispered. “I love you. Don’t go.” With a twist of her body, she broke free from his arms and backed up until she hit the trailer. Tears coursed down her cheeks. “Don’t say that!” she signed. “You don’t.” “Yeah, I do. And if you leave…” He swallowed hard. “I can’t even come after you. And the thought of never seeing you again is ripping my damn heart out of my chest. Knowing you’re leaving to go live with these people that treat you like shit…” He sucked in a breath. “Don’t. Go.” She swiped the back of her hand over her cheeks. Taking the two steps that separated them, she went up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Goodbye, Dan,” she signed, then turned away and got into the truck.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Dan stood under the hot summer sun watching the pink trailer until it disappeared in a trail of dust over the first rise in the road. Carl walked up to him and clapped his hand on his shoulder. “She’ll be okay, son. She’s a tough little lady.” Dan shook his head. She wasn’t tough. That bastard had broken her spirit—he saw it in her eyes—and Dan wanted to hurt him.
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Chapter Twelve Halfway to the hospital, Laramie barked, “What are you blubbering about now?” Jana turned her head toward the side window and covered her face with her hand. She couldn’t stop crying no matter how hard she tried. …wasn’t your fault. I love you. Don’t go. Dan’s words kept repeating through her mind. It wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t. The strange concept was difficult to grasp. Her father’s verbal abuse went farther back than her mother’s death. He always treated her like the redheaded stepchild. She’d never been good enough, smart enough. She didn’t want to do the things he wanted her to do. She never wanted to be a barrel racer when she was a kid and he tried pushing her into it. She didn’t want to learn the cattle business. He only grudgingly paid for her veterinary schooling because her mother had pushed him to do it. Val had always been his princess. Did everything to make him happy. Had, in turn, earned his love. Wasn’t a parent’s love supposed to be unconditional? She turned and snatched up the new wipe board Laramie bought her that morning. She scribbled out, Why don’t you love me? And held it up. Laramie glanced at it, then back at the road. “What kind of dumb‐ ass question is that?” he demanded in the gruff voice he always used on her.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She swiped her sleeve over the board, then wrote, A real question I want an honest answer to. He glanced at the board then back at the road. “We’re at the hospital. Wipe your face and don’t let your sister see you like that. You don’t want to upset her.” After he parked the truck in the no parking zone near the doors, he got out and left her sitting in stunned silence. She swiped her hand down her face and shook her head. No matter what she did or how long she tried…her father didn’t love her. Didn’t even like her. What the hell had she been striving for all these years? Jana grabbed her wipe board, shoved open the truck door and then slammed it shut after she got out. He did treat her like shit, just like Dan said. Treated her like a slave. Caring for Godiva and the other horses on the Star K for years with nothing to show for it. She owned nothing. He never paid her enough for her to do anything for herself. Not to get that specialized saddle, not to finish her schooling, not even to get the special hand gears on the damn pink truck so she could drive it. He made her get rid of Rocky as punishment for letting Val get hurt—and she let him do it! She stalked into the hospital and down the hall to Val’s room. Laramie was leaning over Val’s bed, petting her head as if she were child. She’s a grown woman. Val was twenty‐five—the same age Jana was when the car crash happened. Less than a year away from getting her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She stalked up to the bed as she scribbled on the wipe board. This is bullshit. Grow the hell up. Then shoved it in Val’s face. Laramie read it and grabbed the board from her. “How dare you…?” He raised his hand as if he were going to strike her—something he hadn’t done before—but she stood her ground. Let him, she thought, her breaths coming in furious bursts. Just let him. “Daddy!” Val cried and grabbed his arm to keep him from swinging. Jana folded her arms over her chest and stared him down. She wasn’t afraid of him anymore. He couldn’t do this to her. Couldn’t treat her this way anymore. She was done with him.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “You get the hell out of here right now,” he growled. “Get out before I call security.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re nothing to me,” she signed, since he still held her board hostage. “For ten years I’ve done everything to make you happy and you shit on me at every turn. No more!” She slashed her hand through the air. “I want my own life.” “Jadda,” Val said, her bandaged nose making her speech awkward. Jana glared at her, not feeling any better about Daddy’s princess at the moment than she did Laramie. Val was just as bad. Making her wait on her hand and foot for years. Chaperone her all over the west while she competed in those damn rodeos. Take care of Godiva like a hired hand, only she didn’t get paid. Stand there and watch her practices day after day after day. Have her scream at her like a spoiled rotten child in front of perfect strangers when she didn’t get her way. Val looked up at Laramie. “I wat to tawk to Jadda alode.” Jana smirked at Laramie’s confused expression when he couldn’t understand his perfect, precious daughter. Val snatched the wipe board from his hand and wrote it down. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea, pumpkin. She’s not acting in her right mind today.” Go, Daddy, please, Val wrote. He glanced at Jana. “Don’t you upset her,” he said in way of warning before he touched Val’s bruised cheek and then walked out of the room. Jana took the wipe board from Val. What do you want to say? Val took the board and tossed it across the room. It crashed against the wall. “I can read sign,” she said. “I learned when I was sixteed years old.” Jana’s mouth dropped open. She couldn’t believe it. After all these years… Val’s gaze slid away. “I’b sorry, Jadda.” “Why?” Jana signed.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Val sighed and rubbed her forehead, about the only place on her face that wasn’t bruised and swollen. “Because you’re right. I’b acting like a child. I was jealous of you.” Jana moved around the bed and sat down in the chair. Val was jealous of her? “I don’t understand.” “Everybody lubs you. Lovvves,” she enunciated carefully. “You are so dab sweet, and you know so much about everythig. Everybody goes to you for help.” She didn’t know how to respond to that. The only people she ever wanted to love her were Laramie and Val. “I’b so sorry,” Val whispered. “Why are you telling me this now?” Jana signed. “Because you are supposed to be on the Rocky Basid.” Jana shook her head and frowned. “What are you talking about?” “You lub Dan.” Her heart clenched at just the sound of his name. “See,” Val said, pointing at her. “You do lub him. And he lubs you, too.” Jana shook her head in denial, but she heard Dan’s voice in her mind as if he were standing right beside her. I love you. Don’t go. I can’t even come after you. “You are smart,” Val said. “Dote be stupid. He looks at you with big puppy eyes. Dobody ever looked at me like that.” Jana scoffed. “Every man you meet looks at you like that.” Val shook her head. “Dobody looks at me with lub but Dad. You thik I’b stupid and a baby. I let you thik that. It was how I got you to pay attedtion to me. I’b dot stupid, though.” “I don’t think you’re stupid. I love you, Val. You’re my sister. All I ever wanted to do was take care of you.” Val’s eyes filled with tears. “I’b been so mead…meann to you. I said such bad thiks. I wadded to hurt you because Dan lubed you. He’s a good mad…mann. He dote care about your scars. Whed he looks at you, he sees your beauty. Dote go hobe…homme with me and Dad. Go to Dan. He’ll treat you right. Dot like us.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Jana blinked at the tears blurring her vision. “Why does Dad hate me?” “You were Mmomm’s favorite. She lubed you more thad she lubed him.” Jana sat back in the chair. Val was right. How could she have forgotten? Mom had never discussed their marital problems with her, but…her parents fought like cat and dog, and then Mom would take Jana out for dinner or on a short road trip. Mom had made Laramie pay for her schooling. She made him lay off about the barrel racing. She helped Jana find her own hobbies and interests. But had it been to benefit Jana or to get away from Laramie? “Oh, my God,” she signed. “Yeah,” Val said on a tired sigh. “For beig so smart, you’re kidda dub too.” Jana laughed. “You’ll go back to the Rocky Basid? You’ll be with the mad who lubs you?” “What about you? Are you going to be okay without me?” Val’s smile was a sickly distortion of her normal beauty. “I’b okay. Doctor said I need surgery on my dose and lip to keep frob scarrig too bad.” She tilted her head slightly. “Your scars got you lub, though. I wudder if I’ll eber find it.” Jana pushed out of the chair and leaned over to hug her sister, then kissed her forehead. “I love you,” she signed. “Maybe you need to stop trying so hard.” Val nodded. “I whut a mad who looks at me the way Dan looks at you.” Jana remembered the pain and anger in his eyes when she said goodbye. She wondered if he still wanted her. What if he was so mad he turned her away? “Go,” Val whispered. “Dote thik so hard. Just do it.” “Okay.” Jan grinned. She had to try. “I love you,” she signed. “Write me.” Val smiled again. “Call mme. I’ll take your TTY.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Jana squeezed Val’s hand and then headed for the door. At the last second she turned back and picked her wipe board off the floor. “Not everyone reads sign,” she signed, then winked at her sister and pushed through the heavy door. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Jana was halfway through the Lobby when Laramie’s growl stopped her. She turned around, started writing, The Rocky Basin, but then stopped. She owed this man nothing. Nothing at all. What happened between him and her mother had nothing to do with her. A man resenting his daughter for something so far beyond her control was stupid. “Answer me, girl!” Jana gave him a one‐finger bit of sign language that even Laramie would understand, turned on her heel, and stalked out of the hospital into the clean, warm air of a summer afternoon. * * * * * Dan sat in his chair in his cabin holding Rocky to his chest, staring at his food, unable to stomach the thought of taking a bite. Rocky seemed depressed, too. She just sat there, her nose tucked beneath his ear. No wiggling around, no leaning into him for a petting. Damn it, it wasn’t supposed to hurt this much! He stood up, paced across the room to the sink, and stared out the window into the growing twilight. Why did she leave him this damn furry bowling ball? Why’d she leave to go back to a family who didn’t deserve her goodness? His stomach clenched. One night of comfort, he thought. And a lifetime of loneliness to follow. Was this more punishment for his own crime? To lose the one person who he could love for all time? He couldn’t go to her. In five years when he was free, where would she be? Would she have found someone else? Someone who could give her whatever it was she needed to break free of her father’s death grip on her? And if she didn’t get away, what would be left of her? “Fuck,” he whispered.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Rocky whimpered in his ear. “Shh. It’s okay. I’ll take care of you.” He ran his hand down Rocky’s furry coat. “We’ll be okay, won’t we, girl? You and me? I’ll take you out and introduce you to Thunder tomorrow.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. For what Jana did for him with Thunder, he would make sure Rocky never needed for anything. He moved across the room to the couch and sprawled out, laying his head on the armrest, Rocky perched on his chest. He was just reaching for the TV remote when the phone rang. He heaved a sigh, reached above his head to the end table, and picked up the receiver. “Hello.” “Hey, Dan,” Carl said. “Could you come up to the big house? Got somethin’ to show you.” Dan closed his eyes for a moment. “Yeah. Be there in a couple minutes.” He cradled the phone and sat up. He didn’t want to be around the family tonight. He wanted to sit here with Rocky and sulk. Fume. Get angry and be sad. He set Rocky down on the couch and ran his hand down her back. “Be back in a bit,” he said, then stood up and went to the door where he pulled on his boots. Before he walked out, he went to the fridge and pulled out a small container of yogurt. Barb had given him a few for Rocky. He pulled off the lid and set it on the floor by the couch. “In case you feel like snacking while I’m gone. He pulled open the door and looked over at the big house. A group of people stood on the covered porch, and he sighed again. He was so not in the mood to deal with anyone tonight. He shoved his hands in his pockets and hunched his shoulders. Staring at the ground, he walked across the yard and up the steps of the wide wrap‐around porch. The talking stopped. He looked up. His heart stopped. “Jana.” She handed her wipe board to Barb, and signed, “Hi, Dan.” He glanced at the yard, looking for that gawd awful pink truck. He didn’t see it.
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella Carl cleared his throat. “I…umm…think it’s time we headed in for supper…er…dessert. Hell, y’all, get your asses outta here and leave these two alone.” Kelly squeezed Jana’s arm before she took Jason’s hand and they headed across the yard to their house. Carl, Barb, and the kids disappeared into the house. Bobby strolled toward the barn whistling. A few steps off the porch he turned back. “I’ll just bunk down in the barn tonight. But I’m coming in for a shower in the morning.” Jana smiled in Bobby’s direction, but it slipped when she looked back at Dan. His heart had firmly lodged itself in his throat and all he could do was stare. She was so damn pretty. Her eyes…they shone with that bright spark that he loved. The one he thought had gone out forever. Jana raised her hands, hesitated, and then signed, “Kelly said they have a sign language course at the community center, and Barb said she would pick up some books to bring back so that everyone around here can start learning it.” His heart, which had felt as if it had seized up on him, started thudding. Did this mean…? “Carl said that if I signed on as Rocky Basin’s vet, I would get room, board, a small salary, and he will front me the money to finish my degree. Of course, there’s a lot I can’t do until I get certified, and I’ll have to repeat several courses because it’s been ten years…” She dropped her hands and stared at him. “Why’d you abandon Rocky?” The words were out before he could stop them, and he regretted them when Jana flinched. She signed, “Because my good for nothing father said he would skin her and tack her hide on the living room wall if I didn’t get rid of her.” Dan made another check, just to make sure the truck wasn’t anywhere near the Rocky Basin. That bastard needed to pay. “He’s gone,” she signed. “And I came back.” “How did you get here?” “Kelly drove me.” Her smile returned. “I was standing outside the hospital, trying to figure out how to get back here, and she came out.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “What about your father? Val?” With a shrug, she signed, “Val is growing up, and I never want to lay eyes on my father again. I want to be here.” “Because Barb’s going to make everyone learn sign language?” A small smile flitted over her mouth, and she shook her head. She took a couple of steps toward him. “Because you want to finish your degree?” He felt as if his heart would jump right out of his chest any second. She shook her head again and closed the space between them. He fisted his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her, dragging her into his arms, and demanding she never leave him again. “Because you wanted Rocky back? You can’t have her. You gave her to me.” A grin spread over Jana’s face. “I miss her, but no. I didn’t come back for her.” They stood practically toe‐to‐toe now. “Tell me why you came back, Jana. You’re killing me.” Very slowly, she raised her hands and signed, “I. Love. You.” Dan stared into those mossy‐green eyes for a long moment and knew her words were true. “I can’t go anywhere for another five years,” he whispered. “I—” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to her. “I love you,” she mouthed, then her lips touched his and it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but Jana. He pulled his hands from his pockets, wound his arms around her waist, and pulled her tight against him. Her tongue speared into his mouth, and he moaned as his body reacted to her kiss, to the feel of her soft curves against him. She pulled back when they were both out of breath. She smiled and it lit up her face. “I’m sorry I ever left,” she signed. “It won’t happen again. Wherever you are is my home.” Dan scooped her into his arms, let out a loud whoop, and leapt off the porch. Jana’s breathy laugh tickled his neck as she clung to his shoulders. “I love you, Jana.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella With a saucy grin, she leaned back in his arms as he strode toward the cabin intent on getting her to bed. “I love you, too, O‐R‐V‐I‐L‐L‐E.” He shoved the cabin door shut with his boot, headed to his room, then dumped her on the bed. He jerked his shirt over his head and came down on top of her as she laughed. “No one, babe, not even the love of my life, calls me that.” He pulled open the snaps of her shirt and nipped the curve of her breast above her lacy pink bra. “Got it?” She grinned and nodded. “Kiss me,” she mouthed. “My pleasure, ma’am.” Dan gathered her tight in her arms and kissed her deep and slow. His Jana had returned, and he would spend the rest of his life showing her what an amazing woman she was.
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Epilogue One Year Later “I love it here,” Jana signed as she breathed deep the sweet scents of the forest. “Not what I ever pictured my honeymoon to be like,” Dan said, as she watched the sunlight on his bare skin play over him as the leaves rustled overhead. A shallow stream nearby gave off a soft rolling lilt that was sweeter than any music. “I never pictured a honeymoon at all,” she signed. “Never? Not even when you were younger?” She shrugged. “Maybe once upon a time. But not after the accident.” “Why not?” He ran the back of his fingers up her side and goose bumps popped out on her skin. “Who would want me?” He grinned. “Me, for one. And anyone else you ever let get close enough to see the real you. But I’m glad you waited for me.” Jana smiled at him as she gazed into his dark brown eyes. She loved him so much she ached sometimes. “You’re just horny.” He laughed and gave her a soft peck on the lips. “I never had a problem controlling my lust until you came into my life.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella “Well, I think this place is perfect. Where else could we lay naked in the warm summer breeze, making love whenever we want? We’re still on the ranch, but it would be impossible for anyone to find us.” He chuckled. “I do love the naked part,” he said as he circled her breast with his fingertip. Her nipple tightened beneath his touch, and she sucked in a quick breath. Even after a year of living with him, making love as often as humanly possible with two busy lives, all he had to do was look at her and she turned to putty. When he touched her, there was no controlling her response to him. She nudged him in the shoulder and laughed. “But wouldn’t you have preferred a five‐star hotel? Room service? Carl said he’d get me a ten‐day pass if we still wanted one, as long as I don’t leave the state.” “Could you hand me my canteen, please?” Jana signed. Rolling over, Dan grabbed the plastic water bottle from their saddlebags and handed it to her. She grinned and set it aside. “See? Who needs room service?” He laughed and flopped down beside her. “I traveled every summer for almost ten years, going from one town to another,” she signed. “This last year has been a dream come true. I have a real family now, one that loves me. And a man I can’t get enough of.” She leaned up on her elbow and kissed him. “If you still want to go stay in a fancy hotel that’s fine, but don’t do it for me. I’ve got everything I need right here.” “Everything?” She nodded. “Fresh air, sunshine…you.” “Wasn’t sure I’d get you out of that saddle.” He chuckled. “Carl and Barb should have waited until after the honeymoon to give it to you.” “It’s wonderful to ride again in comfort. I’ve missed it.” She leaned against his chest, rubbed her breasts against him, loved when his muscles tightened and arousal flared in his gorgeous eyes. “But, most of all,” she signed when she leaned back, “I love being Mrs. Orville Daniels.” Dan laughed and wrapped his arms around her, then slid over her. “Just ’cuz we’re married doesn’t mean you can use that name.”
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella She laughed and reached between them, wrapping her fingers around his solid erection. She gave him a light squeeze and he shuddered, his eyes drooping halfway closed. “Orville,” she mouthed. “Orville, Orville, Orville.” He leaned down and nipped her neck. “I warned you about that, missy. Now you’re going to pay.” She spread her legs so he could settle between them. “Punish me,” she mouthed, then speared her hands through his hair and pulled his mouth to her. Ahh, she thought as he thrust into her. With him she felt whole and free...free of the guilt that had gripped her for so long...free of the hold her family held over her. To find her dreams, she had to find herself. Gazing into his passionate love‐filled eyes, she smiled. What a wonderful discovery that was. The End
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In the Runes: The Beauty Within by Leanne Karella
Author Bio Since receiving her first romance from her sister when she was seventeen, Leanneʹs been hooked and penning her own. She strives to gift her readers with heroes and heroines they can fall madly in love with, and a storyline that brings them together under the best—and often most impossible—circumstances. She credits her success to her tenacious family who never let her give up on her dreams. A proud (and homesick) Alaskan, she now lives in Lower Mainland British Columbia with her daughter and Canadian husband. Leanne loves to hear from her readers. Visit her at www.leannekarella.com or email her at
[email protected]
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