Angel and the Texan From County Cork (The Brides of Texas Code Series Book 3) (11 page)

“Just this morning on the train.”

“Who all’s with you?”

“Everyone. Brandt and our three children, Carty, and the twins, Patti and Lucie. They’re upstairs taking a nap.” She laid her hand at her waistline and grinned. “I tried to rest, but this one is hungry and I came downstairs to find a bite to eat.”

“You’re expecting again?”

“I know we’ve only been married three years and it’s so soon after the twins, but Brandt hopes for a boy this time.”

“I’m so happy for you.” And she was, except she couldn’t help being a little envious. Cissie interrupted her thoughts with another question.

“I didn’t expect to see you here in town. We’d planned on renting a wagon tomorrow to come out to your place. When can we meet your husband, Will?”

Angel’s ability to speak left her temporarily. So much had happened in the last year, not to mention in the last two weeks. She hated to have her friend think less of her, but she would find out eventually. She ushered Cissie over to one of the comfortable chairs and sat beside her.

“Will passed away almost a week ago.”

“I’m so sorry, I—”

“I remarried the day before Christmas Eve.” There, she’d said it. Let the opinions fall where they may.

Cissie hugged her tightly and asked, “Are you all right?”

“I will be.” Across Cissie’s shoulder she noticed Calliope walking toward them. Patting her on the shoulder, Angel said, “Here’s someone I want you to meet. Cissie, this is Calliope Thorne. She looked after me when I first came here.”

The two women exchanged greetings with each other and gathered Angel into a group hug.

Calliope spoke first, “Why don’t we go to the dining room and have some tea?”

“I would love a cup of tea with my two most favorite people.” Angel stepped between the two women and smiled happily.

“Good,” Calliope said. “Because I have news to share.”

***

Jamey stepped onto the wood planked walkway in front of Krutchmeyer’s store. This was his last stop before heading over to the hotel to meet Angel. He placed the small velvet drawstring bag into his vest pocket along with a few items from their neighbor Moran and then closed his coat against the cold wind.

He’d had quite a successful day all-in-all. The money would be transferred to Moran’s account, effectively terminating Will’s debt. After the bank, he’d gone to the recording office to gather the information he’d need to transfer and file the deed in his name.

The letter from Archer Benning Associates had been a copy of Will’s Last Will and Testament. Evidently Will had sent Ian Benning a letter asking him to draw up the document according to his specifications. Jamey had visited a local attorney in order to honor Will’s wishes for Angel.

He now found himself outside the hotel entrance about to set his life on its final course and hoping he was making the right decision. Well you’re not going to find out standing out here.

Once inside the lobby, he only had to follow the sounds of talking and laughter to find Angel in the dining room. She was surrounded by two women, a man and three babies. Marshall Handley appeared beside him.

“That’s quite a group.”

“Yes, it is.” The babble reminded him of his own family gatherings in Ireland and Dallas. He found himself wondering if he’d be welcome or should he continue with his original plans.

“Jamey?” Angel called, motioning him over to join then.

Handley clapped him on the back. “You can’t back out now.”

Jamey realized he didn’t want to back out, he didn’t want to go to Leadville, Colorado. The camps and hard, mostly disappointing work in the mines finally held no appeal. He wanted to stay right here if she’d have him. This was what he wanted, his own family.

Angel made the round of introductions. He nodded to the women and shook hands with the husband who seemed somewhat overwhelmed by it all. Brandt Howard held one small child while the slightly older one climbed all over him. The woman he now knew as Cissie held an identical copy of the child her husband had.

Handley pulled another chair over and sat beside the woman, Calliope, who whispered something in his ear. The marshal smiled at her and took her hand in his.

Jamey garnered a chair for himself and sat beside Angel. She was the happiest he’d seen her in the short time he’d known her.

Tapping her spoon against the side of her cup, she gained everyone’s attention. “Now that we’re all here, I want to say something. This has turned out to be possibly the best day of my life. Some things have been resolved, another will be in the near future.

“And the most important, at least to me, is that I finally have my family. You may not know each other but I know and love each of you, and that makes you my family.” She grinned glancing at each one. “Whether you like it or not.”

Calliope and Cissie beamed their confirmation, while Jase and Brandt chuckled at her declaration. Jamey thought this couldn’t fit any better into his plan.

Angel tapped her cup again and said, “Now, there is good news to be shared. Calliope?”

The woman looked at the Marshal then smiled and said, “Jase and I are getting married. He asked me and I said yes.”

Angel and Cissie had heard the news already, but they oohed and ahhed again, and Jamey and Brandt clapped Jase on the back in congratulations.

“Cissie? What’s your news?”

“Brandt, the girls and I have come to Texas to live. We, too, want to be with family.” She reached across the table for Angel’s hand. “With Angel’s help, we’ll work on a plan.”

He thought to offer a temporary if not permanent arrangement to be decided later, when Angel turned to him quickly.

“I’ve already figured out they can live on the Double R either in the repaired barn or in another cabin Brandt can build. We won’t be a burden to you and you’ll be compensated.” She took a deep breath then continued, “After you’ve gone, I’ll have family close by.”

Suddenly, their whole situation got to him. He pounded the table in front of him with his balled fist. Startled, everyone looked at him, including Angel. Good, I have yer attention.

“Listen to me, Colleen, and listen good. That agreement we made is now null and void. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

“You aren’t?”

“No.” He gave her a tentative smile. “May the saints be with me for I think I’ve yet to see yer true stubborn nature. For all that bein’ married entail’s, I’m in this marriage for the duration.

“Now, we’ll all work together to figure out the living arrangements for Cissie and her family. There are a couple of other things.” He pulled the cache of items from his vest pocket and handed the silk handkerchief from Moran to her.

She opened it and gasped. “Papa’s watch and Mama’s brooch. Where did you get them?”

“Moran gave them to me at the bank. Apparently, Will had given them to him in exchange for gambling money. Moran wanted ye to have them back.”

“Perhaps he isn’t the monster he’s been made out to be.”

“Perhaps,” he agreed. “Now, here’s the second.”

Angel took the small, deep purple velvet bag from him, opened it, and inhaled sharply when a gold band fell into her hand. She looked at him in question, her blue eyes full of unshed tears.

He thought again how she cried prettier than any woman he’d ever encountered. “I figured since I’m stayin’, Colleen, we might as well make our union official. That is, if ye’ll have me, Angela Clemens Brunner Rivers O’Donnell.”

Angel handed him the gold band and held out her left hand. “Yes, I’ll have you, Jamey O’Donnell.”

He slipped the ring onto her third finger and stood, pulling her with him into his arms. Holding her tight he angled his mouth over hers and kissed her in a way that gave her a hint of what to expect later that evening when they were alone.

Holding her close to his side, he thanked the saints for bringing him to his destiny, his family.

EPILOGUE

Christmas Day, One year later

“Sleep now, John Darby O’Donnell,” Angel crooned softly as she covered the baby with his blanket and caressed his cheek. “You have much celebrating to do later. You’re two months old today.”

Jamey came in the front door and called out, “Cissie, Brandt and the little ones are drivin’ up the road.”

She emerged from the bedroom with her finger to her lips. “Shhhh, John Darby is finally asleep. Don’t wake him.”

“I thought he tapped out a while ago.”

“He’s too excited to sleep what with it being Christmas day and all. After getting his tummy full and a thorough rocking, he closed his eyes.”

Jamey laughed as he gathered his wife into his arms. “I don’t think he knows it’s Christmas, but I am goin’ to have to give him a talkin’ to. He demands too much of yer time.” He kissed her and allowed his hands to roam. “I need yer attention, too.”

Pushing him away, she grinned. “You’re a scoundrel, James Sheridan O’Donnell. I’ll deal with you later.”

“Aye, no empty promises now, Colleen.”

He reached for her again, but she ran to the door to help Cissie in with her brood. The three girls were all toddling now and the baby, Brandt Jr., was five months old and trying to crawl. Angel was indeed in awe of her friend’s stamina.

“Here,” she said, pulling the rocker over by the fire. “Sit and relax. Will he nap for you?”

Cissie handed her son over to Angel. “You have better luck getting him to sleep than I do when we’re here. Besides, I’ve been riding that hard wagon seat for the last half hour. I’ll keep an eye on the girls and help get dinner on the table.”

“Calliope and Jase will be here soon. She’ll help corral the girls. She’s been looking forward to playing with them.”

“Have you heard the rumors around town about her latest venture?”

“Yes, Jamey said Mrs. Krutchmeyer is up to her usual tricks telling tales.” She adjusted the baby in her arms, who was almost asleep. “It seems she may not be too far off this time.”

Jamey and Brandt came inside, one with an armload of firewood, the other carried a bucket of water.

“Brandt,” Cissie said. “Take the baby from Angel and put him on the bed, would you?”

“Just be sure to surround him with pillows.” Angel stood and handed over his son. “Thank you.”

She peeked in on John Darby, saw he was napping soundly and went in to set the table. Cissie had started mashing the potatoes and Jamey had brought the turkey from the oven.

A knock sounded with Jase and Calliope entering quickly. He carried a large bowl of the green beans she’d promised and she brought in a pie.

Jamey took the pie from her and placed it on the extra table he’d set up for the food. “Is this pumpkin like I asked for?”

“Yes, as promised.” She grinned, gave Jamey a hug and asked, “Where’re my girls?”

“Look in the corner beside the tree.” Cissie nodded toward Lucie and Patti.

“They’re so quiet, I didn’t see them.”

Looking up from her table setting, Angel said, “Do you have any news you can share about your new venture?”

Calliope picked up one of the twins, squeezed her, returned her to her playing and picked up her identical sister. She put down the second little girl and then turned to answer Angel grinning widely. “We signed the papers at the bank yesterday. The hotel now has a new owner!”

Angel hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this more.”

Cissie sat her oldest, Carty, at the table with a small bowl of mashed potatoes and green beans. “Brandt, will you share our news?”

“As you know we’ve been renting Ollie Henderson’s place since he went home.” He cleared his throat and continued, “Ollie’s decided to stay in Missouri and sell his ranch to us.”

“And,” Jamey added quickly. “We’ll bring the Henderson, excuse me, the Howard place into the Moran, O’Donnell group to combine our efforts in cotton, wheat, and cattle.”

“Oh my goodness, so much good to share this Christmas.” Angel reached Cissie and held her tightly, so happy for her friend. Swiping at a tear, she said, “Come on, let’s sit down and eat before everything gets cold.”

Angel and Calliope each grabbed a twin and joined the others at the table. Jase offered the blessing and after the Amen, he handed Angel an envelope.

“What’s this?” She removed the letter from the wrapper and began reading aloud. “Mrs. O’Donnell, A final note on the conviction of Curly Radley for the murder of Willman Rivers. Mr. Radley has reached Huntsville Prison, Huntsville, Texas, where he will serve out his life sentence.”

Angel started to cry in earnest. Was their nightmare finally over?

Sitting next to her, Jamey put his arm around her shoulder. “Oh, Colleen, don’t cry. This is good news.”

“I know,” she sobbed. “We are all so blessed. We have our health, our babies, each other. We have a good life.” Reaching over, she kissed her husband and said, “Let’s eat. Merry Christmas!”