Rafe's Redemption (33 page)

and about Simon. A ll right?”

“Yes. It’s your decision.” But it pleased her he thought to ask, and pleased her even more that he no longer felt like he’d done something wrong, or that he had something to hide.

A s they ate, Rafe explained his past.

“You’ve had a bad time,” Cecil said. “I wished you’d told me sooner. Maybe I could have helped.”

“There wasn’t anything you could have done. I just hope Simon has had enough time to see the truth of it all.”

“So after I drop Maggie in St. Louis, I have no idea how long it will take to find him,” he said to Cecil. “I’d appreciate if you could take the mule and chickens while we’re gone. I hope to be back here in the fall. I want to build a bigger house in the valley.”

Little Owl grinned at Maggie.

“I have a little money,” Rafe continued, “and the traps have been full this season. I’d like to buy some land and run a few head of cattle. If…” He gave Maggie a grin.

“That’s all right with my soon-to-be-wife.” Cecil nodded over his coffee cup. “Sounds like you’ve given this some thought.” He coughed and cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose you’d need any help from time to time?”

“You know anything about cattle?”

A hangdog expression covered Cecil’s face, and he shook his head. “Not much.”

“Me either.” Rafe laughed. “You’re hired. We’ll figure it out together.”

The men pushed away from the table and headed to the barn, talking excitedly about how many head of cattle Rafe could buy. Maggie sat staring at the door, horrible images running through her mind. Why had nobody mentioned the fact that Rafe could be killed trying to make his peace with Simon? Dead men didn’t need cattle!

“He will be all right.” Little Owl placed her hand on Maggie’s. “You must believe. Worry not good for baby.”

“I know, but I can’t help it.”

“It is hard when you love them so much.” She rubbed her lower back. “A ll right if I lie on the bed for a while?”

“Yes, please do.” Maggie shook her head. “I’m sorry.

I should have asked if you needed to rest this afternoon.”

“I don’t like resting, but Cecil always make me.” She stretched out on the mattress. “Today the travel make me tired.”

Maggie covered her with a quilt. “Just relax for a bit.” She finished the dishes, then sat in the rocker.

Carefully she rubbed her stomach. A baby. Unbelievable.

How was she going to tell Rafe? The last thing she wanted was for him to have more on his mind while searching for a killer.

Maybe this could be the one thing to change his mind.

She let her head drop back onto the rocker in shame.

It was wrong to even think that. Tempting, but wrong.

She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she used the baby to bend Rafe’s will. Manipulating people was Father’s style, not hers.

She sighed. “I love you,” she whispered to her belly.

“I’ll think of something. One way or another, you will know the love of your papa.”

****

The little cabin echoed with Rafe and Cecil’s good-natured argument.

“No, we insist,” Rafe said as he moved the rocker, then spread blankets on the rug. He glanced at Maggie and hoped she wouldn’t mind sleeping like this, in front of the fireplace. “You two take the bed. Little Owl shouldn’t sleep on this hard floor.”

“But—” Little Owl started to protest.

“No arguments,” Maggie said. “Cecil knows we’re right.”

Cecil tucked Little Owl into bed, his fingers caressing her cheek as he pulled the cover over her swollen belly.

“Listen to them, darlin’.”

“A ll right. Thank you, my friends,” her sleepy voice called.

Cecil walked to the table. “I really do appreciate you putting us up. I knew the trip would be too much for her, but she was determined to see you. Being cooped up without any company, without any sunlight, has been hard on her.”

He reached for his tobacco pouch. “Care to join me before bed?” He offered a cigar to Rafe.

“I’ll be right back, sweetheart.” Rafe brushed a kiss to her lips, then headed outside.

The moon hid behind a thin veil of clouds, shrouding the yard in shadows. A n owl hooted from the ridge above the cabin, its lonely voice echoing through the night.

Cecil leaned against the barn and drew deeply on his cigar. “I didn’t think I’d be this scared,” he admitted. “But the closer her time gets…”

Rafe blew smoke rings and studied his friend. “Little Owl is strong. Don’t worry. She and the baby will be fine.”

“Yeah, but with no womenfolk around to help, I’ll have to deliver it.” His voice was hollow and fearful.

Rafe hadn’t thought about that. Good God, if he had to deliver a baby, he’d be scared shitless. Just the thought of Maggie in that kind of pain made him shake.

He swallowed roughly. “We could wait around. You could come get Maggie when it’s time.” Nothing would make her happier than delaying their trip to St. Louis.

“You’d do that?” Relief was written all over Cecil’s face.

Rafe nodded.

Cecil stuck out his hand. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“Just remember this favor when Maggie and I have children.” He gave Cecil a hearty slap on the back. “Come on, let’s get some rest.”

Inside, Rafe banked the fire and climbed under the blanket next to Maggie. She was already asleep, but snuggled close to him when he stretched out beside her.

He wished he could strip her naked, then kiss her all over. There was rarely a night they didn’t make love. His dick hardened just thinking about it.

“Stop it,” he mumbled to his randy cock.

She tried to hide it, but she had been tired lately. If he could learn to control himself a little better, she could get some sleep. He took a deep breath, but the more he tried not to picture her naked and moaning his name, the more vivid the picture became. He flopped to his back on the hard floor and grinned. This reminded him of the night he slept here when she first arrived. He’d ached for her then, too.

She sighed and threw her leg over his thigh, the heat of her pussy sending a pulsing shock to his cock. He squeezed his eyes closed and counted to one hundred.

Waking her would be wrong. It would be damn selfish.

A ll he had to do was not think about her ass. Or how wet her cunt got when she sucked his dick. Thinking about that would be torture. A nd wrong. Selfish. Wrong.

Torture.

Christ. It would be a long time before sleep claimed him.

****

“Rafe. Maggie. Wake up!”

A strong hand shook Rafe’s shoulder and pulled him from slumber. He felt like he’d only slept five minutes, but woke immediately and reached for his pistol.

“No, you don’t need that,” Cecil said. “It’s Little Owl.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Maggie, she’s having pains—says it’s time.” His eyes were huge. “Can you come see? She’s asking for you.”

Rafe watched Maggie rub sleep from her eyes. God, she looked so tired. The last thing she needed was the stress of delivering a baby.

“I’ll fix some coffee.” He helped her stand, then stoked the fire.

Maggie lit the lantern and walked to the bed. Little Owl moaned in pain she as knelt beside the mattress.

Cecil hovered over her shoulder.

“I am sorry,” Little Owl said. She gulped in several small breaths. “It may pass.” Her face twisted in pain, and she reached for Maggie’s hand. Her scream ripped through the cabin.

The agonizing sound had Cecil on his knees beside the bed. “Darlin’, please.” He clutched her hand. “I can’t stand to see you like this.”

Maggie stepped around Cecil and walked to Rafe.

“I’m going to need some fresh water and the whiskey.” She grabbed his arm as he moved away. “Better pour a cup for Cecil first. Then take him and keep him in the barn.”

There was fear in her eyes, but her voice was steady.

He pictured her this way, so brave, the night he was hurt.

His chest filled with pride. Grabbing the buckets, he pulled her toward the door. “Have you ever delivered a baby?” he whispered.

“No.”

“Can you do it?” Now he felt nervous.

She glanced at the bed. Her hands shook as she brushed a stray curl from her eyes. “Do I have a choice?” He squeezed her hand. “I’ll get the things you need.”

****

“She’ll be fine.” Rafe reassured Cecil for the tenth time in as many hours. Each time a scream tore through the cold morning, Cecil turned white and headed for the barn door. Rafe felt helpless. He couldn’t be with Maggie, and he wasn’t much good to Cecil.

“Sit down.” Rafe handed him a stick to whittle. “It shouldn’t be much longer.”

“You said that three hours ago. It has to be close to noon now,” Cecil muttered. “How long does it take?” His expression was tortured.

Rafe shrugged. “I wish I knew.”

“I’ll never touch her again.” Cecil dropped the wood.

“I won’t make her go through this anymore.” Dust motes floated through the sun beams as Cecil paced across the floor. Lines had appeared overnight on his usual carefree face.

Rafe couldn’t imagine never touching Maggie. Of course, she wasn’t the one whose screams echoed through the barn. If that were the case…He lit another cigar and leaned against the wall, trying to think of something to say, something that would take his friend’s mind off what was happening in the house. “So how many head of cattle do you think I should start with?”

“Like I said last night—” A n agonized cry ripped through the air and Cecil paled.

Rafe handed him a smoke and tried again to make him sit.

Cecil shook him off. “If she dies—”

“She won’t.” Rafe gripped his shoulder and pushed him to the floor. “I bet anytime now Maggie will come to tell you you’re a father.”

Cecil propped his elbows on his knees and hung his head. “I love her. She means everything to me.”

“I know.” Rafe swallowed the lump in his throat. Just the thought of Maggie in that much pain made him sick.

A nother gut-wrenching cry made Cecil jump to his feet. “That’s it. I can’t stay out here any longer.” Rafe grabbed him arm. “You’ll just be in the way.

Hovering over Little—”

Tiny, angry cries permeated the barn. Cecil’s head snapped toward the door. “Was that a baby?” he asked, his eyes wide.

Continued high pitched wails made Rafe nod. “I think so.”

“I’m going to the house.” Pulling free of Rafe’s hold, Cecil loped to the cabin.

****

Maggie wrapped the baby in a soft, worn flour sack and pressed a kiss to his tiny forehead. Dark eyes squinted at her from a red, wrinkled face, and little fists folded under his chin.

Squatting next to the bed, she brushed damp hair from Little Owl’s cheek. “You’ve got a boy, and he’s beautiful,” she whispered, tucking him into the crook of Owl’s arm. “Rest and I’ll go get Cecil.” Maggie stood, every muscle in her back complaining from too many hours bent at the foot of the bed. Before she could cross the room, Cecil burst through the door, his expression tight with worry.

“We thought we heard…” His eyes filled as he looked to the bed. “Oh. My God.” He raced across the room and dropped to his knees beside his family.

“Look, husband, your son.”

Maggie’s eyes filled with tears. Would she and Rafe share the same moment in a few months?

“Is everything all right?” Rafe stood outside the door, shuffling his boots as if he didn’t know whether to come inside or run.

“Yes.” Maggie walked into his waiting arms and inhaled his familiar scent. “Now it is.” He stroked her back, the warmth of his hands soothed her tired muscles. “What can I do now?” Maggie sighed. “I’ll need another bucket of water to wash Little Owl.”

He pressed a kiss to her head. “A nything you need.”

“Well, I’ll need you to hold the baby while I change the bed.”

Rafe’s eyes widened. He looked as if she had asked him to kiss a rattlesnake.

“Why can’t Cecil hold him?” Stress strained his voice an octave higher.

“Because I need him to hold Little Owl up off the mattress.”

Rafe gulped, then nodded. “I’ll get the water.” Once Maggie had the last bucket heated, Rafe walked to the rocker. He sat, his arms stretched in front of him stiff as train rails. “A ll right. I’m ready.” He sounded as if he might be sick.

Maggie placed the baby against his chest and folded his strong arms around the tiny bundle.

“Just cradle him like this.” She stepped back and smiled, unable to stop the image of him holding their child. “He won’t break.”

“He might,” Rafe whispered. His panicked expression made her smile.

“Relax. Rock him.” She set the chair in motion and hurried to the bed.

Cecil held Little Owl while Maggie changed the blankets. A s she gathered the bedding her gaze found Rafe. He stared at the baby, and traced the delicate skin around one tiny ear.

Maggie’s heart stopped. She had to tell him. He should know that soon he would hold his own child. If he still wanted to go after Simon…well, she had the other plan.

Dumping the soiled bedding beside the door, Maggie tiptoed to the rocker. “See, it isn’t so bad.” Rafe looked up with a sheepish smile at her words.

“He’s so little. It’s amazing.”

She nodded as Cecil joined them.

“He’s a fine boy,” Rafe said as he handed the baby to his father.