Flint Hills Bride (19 page)

“I sent a few telegrams. They knew you were with me. They even know we’re on our way home.” He toyed with her fingers as he talked.

“Do they know we’re married?”

Jake was silent long enough for Emily to guess his answer.

“Emily, I’m not sure how your parents will feel about all this, but I know your brother. He’s going to figure I’ve got a lot to answer for.”

“You? I’m the one that ran off, taking some of Christian’s money with me.”

“I don’t think your brother is going to care as much about that as he will about what I’ve done. I married you without your family’s consent. I dragged you all over the countryside, hungry and cold most of the time. I let you fall into Anson’s hands.”

Emily struggled to sit up. “But you didn’t,” she protested. “I ran off with Anson. I—”

“I even got his little sister in the family way.”

“Jake.
You
didn’t.”

He settled her back into his arms. “They don’t need to know that,” he whispered against her ear.

Snow started falling shortly before they reached the ranch. Emily watched it settle on Jake’s hat and shoulders and hoped he was feeling as warm as she.
When they had left the train in Strong, Jake had taken one look at the heavy clouds and insisted she put on every stitch of clothing she had with her.

Jake had sold the mare in Council Grove and picked up his own horse in Cottonwood Falls where the sheriff had been looking after it. The gelding had come with them in the livestock car and Emily rode it now. She planned to give it to Christian. It wouldn’t really make up for the horse Anson had sold or the money she had stolen but it was a start.

Jake turned to look at her and she smiled. Riding beside him, even in the snow, seemed more like home than the ranch did. She wouldn’t be in any hurry to get there at all if she knew for sure that Jake had at least put on extra socks.

As they rode past the front of the big stone house, Emily lifted her head to gaze at the imposing structure. She blinked snowflakes off her lashes and shaded her eyes with a hand. “Lynnette?”

The figure on the balcony jumped. “Emily!”

Emily laughed as her sister-in-law turned and ran back into the house.

“What was she doing out there?” Jake asked.

Emily shrugged. “I bet she’s sent her characters out in the snow and wanted to know how to describe it.”

“We could help her there.”

Christian was on his way from the barn by the time they rounded the house. He caught Emily’s horse and lifted her down. Instead of spinning her around as she expected, he wrapped her in his arms and held her.

After a long moment he pulled away and gazed into her face. His blue eyes looked suspiciously bright.
“There were times when I wasn’t sure I’d see you again, muffin,” he said.

“You got my telegrams, didn’t you?” Jake broke in.

Christian seemed reluctant to take his eyes off Emily, but finally he turned to Jake. “Yes, I got them.” With one arm wrapped firmly around Emily he held the other out to Jake. “Thank you for bringing her back to me.”

“I’m not exactly bringing her back,” Jake said, shaking the offered hand.

Lynnette had joined them, and Emily caught her knowing smile as Christian asked, “What do you mean?”

“I’ve decided to keep her.”

Emily beamed at Jake. After all his talk on the train, he faced her brother without flinching. She wanted to be at his side, but Christian had other ideas.

“Lynn, get her inside where it’s warm. Jake and I’ll take care of the horses.”

“Oh, no you don’t,” Emily protested. “I’m going to the barn with you.”

“I agree,” said Lynnette. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Christian scowled down at Emily. “Bring the horses, Jake,” he said without looking up. He turned Emily toward the barn. “I just want to talk to him about where you’ve been the last several days,” he said in a low voice.

“I know Jake,” Emily said quietly, glancing back to see that they were well ahead of him. “He’s going to take the blame for everything, and you’ll believe him like you always did.”

Christian chuckled as they entered the barn. “Em, I never believed him.”

Emily groaned. “Then don’t give him a hard time.”

Jake entered the barn, leading the two horses.

Lynnette walked beside him, looking quite pleased. She smiled up at her husband. “Why don’t you and I take care of the horses and let Jake and his bride go inside?”

“Bride?”

“Bride,” Emily confirmed, grinning up at her incredulous brother.

“Bride,” Jake echoed, apology evident in his voice.

“Bride,” Christian repeated in defeat.

Lynnette laughed, drawing Emily away from Christian and toward Jake. “You two get inside where it’s warm.” Her voice dropped to a whisper as she added, “Don’t expect us in anytime soon.

Emily and Jake hurried through the falling snow. At the door, Jake drew her into his arms. He planted a tender kiss on her lips before he said, “I can’t blame Christian for being upset.”

“He’s not upset, just surprised,” Emily said, pretending to be cold as an excuse to snuggle closer.

“He wants the best for his sister, and an almost-broke deputy is hardly the best.”

Emily shook her head. “I know the best when I find it.” She drew him toward her for another kiss. “And I’ve found it.”

* * * * *

CASSANDRA AUSTIN

From time to time since I was in junior high school, I imagined myself as a novelist. I began seriously pursuing that dream in 1985 writing during my four-year-old’s naps and at other stolen moments. My first published novel,
Wait for the Sunrise,
was released by Harlequin Historicals exactly five years ago. I am honored that my fifth book is part of their tenth anniversary celebration.

My husband and I live on a farm in Kansas, the same farm where he grew up. We have three grown-to-nearly-grown children. I would love to hear from you. Write to me at Box 162, Clyde, KS 66938.

eISBN 978-14592-6133-4

FLINT HILLS BRIDE

Copyright © 1998 by Sandra Detrixhe

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