Rosanne Bittner (25 page)

Sage sat down in one of his big stuffed chairs near an unlit fireplace, watching Joanna clean off the table at the kitchen end of the great room. She’d cried in his arms and seemed truly repentant, sincere about wanting to try their marriage again. She’d cooked a roast and baked a pie yesterday, and she’d warmed both for him this evening, carrying on about how every day for the last week she’d watched for his return, sure it had to be soon. That was why she made sure there was a good meal ready every night.

“The men and I were getting worried because you were gone so long,” she’d explained over their meal. “We were really beginning to wonder if you’d make it back at all, and all I could think of was how awful it would be if I never saw you again.”

Sage ate a little, but only enough to be polite. His appetite was gone. He had too much to think about. The last thing he wanted was to come back and find Joanna here, nesting in the house. She had no right.

One thing he’d learned their first time around was not to fall for her pathetic crying and pleading. She was damn good at it. He thought how, after all the things Maggie went through, he couldn’t remember her carrying on like that even once. Still, what was unusual this time was that Joanna had waited several weeks by herself. Apparently, she’d even cooked a time or two for the men, or so she claimed. That was something she never did the first time around. All she did was complain about their raw, unkempt condition.

It would be easier to concentrate on Joanna, whatever it was she wanted, if he could stop the memory of watching Maggie ride off alone to that cabin. It tore at his heart to imagine her riding away from Paradise Valley forever. After knowing Maggie, everything he’d admired about Joanna didn’t seem important anymore. Yes, she was beautiful, and her curves felt good in a man’s arms. But she couldn’t shoot an old Sharps rifle, wouldn’t dream of wearing pants or riding a horse like a man. She would never consider killing a chicken and plucking it, or spending weeks on the trail sleeping on the cold ground. She hated the smell of cattle dung and never did want to learn anything about ranching and the chores involved.

So far, all she’d talked about after he let her cry in his arms was how much she still loved him, how once she was away from him she realized how much she needed him, his friendship, and his strength. She talked about her trip here, all the things she’d done to the house while waiting, and how worried she’d been when she learned the reason for his trip.

He rolled and lit a cigarette. “Joanna, quit busying yourself, and come sit down,” he told her, wanting to get to the truth and get it over. He didn’t believe a word that came out of her mouth. How could he consider getting back together with a woman who’d used him the way Joanna had?

Then again, Maggie had lied to him too. But that was different. It wasn’t a lie to get money, and he honestly believed Maggie’s love for him was unchanged—it was her love that made her afraid to tell him about the baby.

He watched Joanna walk across the room, and he could not help being struck by her physical perfection. What man wouldn’t notice? As he watched Joanna sit down, he thought how attracted he’d become to a wisp of a woman with small breasts and freckles and red hair that was never in place like Joanna’s. He’d grown to love looking into green eyes that matched the prairie grass, and he liked the thought of a wife who would often ride beside him on roundups, probably even cattle drives. Joanna could never do those things and wouldn’t even try if he asked.

The sun was beginning to settle behind the western range, and Joanna took a moment to light a lantern on the small table next to her chair. She turned and smiled a fetching smile, came closer, and started to sit on Sage’s lap.

“Sage, I want so much to feel your arms around me again.”

Sage grasped her about the waist and lifted her away. “Sit in the other chair. It’s time to talk, Joanna…
really
talk.”

She looked surprised, and her eyes teared again. She moved to the other stuffed chair and sat on the edge, as though she might soil something, or mess up her hair, if she sat all the way into it and leaned back. She waited quietly as Sage studied her intently, thinking how stiff and defensive she looked.

“Let’s have the truth, Joanna. Why are you here?”

She blinked. “I told you.” She wiped at a tear. “I love you, and I want to be your wife again.”

“Are you out of money?”

She straightened even more, raising her chin. “N—no. I have some left. Money has nothing to do with this.” Her tears disappeared, and she frowned. “Why are you being so mean? Surely this doesn’t have anything to do with that woman…
girl
—I should say… you’ve been traveling with. I mean—she’s a mess! And from what the men told me about you two going after those outlaws… well, I deduced what must have happened. I know it’s a terrible thing, but what man would want her now?”

So, the
real
Joanna was beginning to peek through. “
This
man,” he answered. “I’m in love with her, Joanna. She’s ten times the woman you’ll ever be—perfect for ranch life—out on that trail, she saved my ass more than once. She can ride and shoot and cook, and she loves this ranch and this land. She’s been through things I can’t even tell you about because it would horrify you. And she goddamn well knows how to love a man in every way possible.”

Joanna sucked in her breath, her blue eyes turning from a look of pleading repentance to pools of jealousy and hatred. “Sage, this is me, Joanna, the woman you’ve loved since you were seventeen! How could you possibly choose that used-up farm girl over someone who can bring respectability to you and this ranch? I can go out in society and erase all the rumors about your heritage and your background and how you started this ranch.”

Now Sage felt his anger rising. “Respectability?” He struggled to keep his urge to choke her in check. Here was the old Joanna, still talking about propriety and mingling with high society. Nothing had changed at all. He took another drag on his cigarette. “Maggie Tucker is a woman to be respected more than any woman I’ve ever known, including you. And if you raise one more insult about her, I’ll have a hard time not hitting a woman for the first time in my life. You can stop right now when it comes to saying anything about Maggie. She loves me just the way I am. I don’t need to put on airs for her, or change my life. And you should know by now that I don’t care what other people think of me. I don’t run in those circles, and I never will, Joanna. You know that about me, so I’ll ask you again. Why are you really here?”

Joanna stiffened even more.

“Tell me the truth, Joanna. You know what honesty means to me.”

She rose and walked to a window. “I’d
like
to tell you the truth, but I’m scared of you, Sage… scared because of how angry you were the last time we parted. Promise me you won’t yell at me… or hit me.”

Sage smashed out his cigarette in an ashtray and leaned back. “Jesus, Joanna, you know better than that.”

She continued staring out the window. “I suppose I do. It’s just that… men like you can be pushed only so far before the stubborn wildness comes out.”

Sage thought how Maggie understood that part of him, knew how to handle it, knew when to back off, and when to fold him into her arms. More and more, as he watched and listened to the beautiful Joanna, he realized which woman had won his heart, baby or no baby. He rubbed his eyes, worried about what Maggie was going through right now, alone in that cabin. He knew it must have taken all the courage and fortitude she had to ride away from him and Joanna, letting them be alone.

“Joanna, tell me why you’re here. You might as well know that Maggie is carrying, and I should be with her right now. We have a lot to talk about.”

Joanna whirled. “Carrying!” She shook her head. “Good Lord, Sage.
You?
”

Sage didn’t feel like explaining. Joanna could never understand what Maggie had been through. “Yeah,
me
,” he lied. “The kid is mine, and I mean to do right by it.” For Maggie’s sake, he didn’t want anyone knowing any different. It was then it struck him that he could love Maggie’s baby, because
Maggie
loved it. He came even closer and trapped Joanna against the wall. “Now, for the last time, tell me the truth. Are you here because you’re broke again?”

She looked at him, wide-eyed. “Please don’t be angry.”

He leaned down and kissed her roughly, and in that moment, he knew the magic was gone. He pulled away, grasping her arms. “Out with it. How much do you need?”

She hung her head and sighed. “When I went back to San Francisco, I… I met someone. He was from a wealthy family, and he owned businesses, or so I thought. I… married him. He turned out to be a gambler… and he used up all my money, and then left me. Now I’m twice divorced.”

Sage turned away with a groan, realizing she couldn’t help how she was raised any more than he could do anything about his own background. Joanna needed “things,” a fancy life. She’d do anything to get them. She was who she was, and they couldn’t be more different.

“I need enough to start a finishing school.” She sobbed. “I know I could do well at something like that. I promise to use the money well, Sage, put it to good use so I’ll never be broke again.” She looked at him pleadingly. “I’m sorry. I honestly wanted to try again when I first came here. I mean, I was out of money and needed a place to live, but I wanted to do it the right way—be your wife again. You’re my only real friend. But after a couple of weeks out here, I knew nothing had changed, and that I just can’t live this life. I stayed on, hoping once you got back I’d fall into your arms, and that would help me want to stay. When I saw that woman… the way you looked at each other… I knew there was something strong between you… something you and I never had. I knew it was truly over between us. I thought maybe after being alone together for a while that would change, but I can see in your eyes that it won’t. I’m not meant for a man like you, and you aren’t meant for a woman like me.”

She took a handkerchief from the waist of her skirt and wiped her eyes. “So yes, I need money. I’m sorry, Sage. I didn’t know where else to turn. I thought about bringing a lawyer with me, so that if you wouldn’t give me the money, I’d threaten to somehow get you in trouble for the lawless, underhanded way you built this ranch. But then, I figured that if I brought a lawyer along, you might have slit his throat and thrown him over a cliff or something.”

Sage grinned, remembering Cutter. “That’s a real possibility. I don’t know one man out here who welcomes the sight of a lawyer. But considering that threat, maybe
you’re
the one I should throw over a cliff.”

Joanna raised her chin defiantly. “Sage Lightfoot, you are so bad.” She looked him over appreciatively. “And yet so good.” She sauntered past him to the fireplace. “You’re a lot more man than I could ever handle.” She studied the bobcat head mounted over the fireplace mantel. “I’m amazed that that little bit of a woman you’ve only known for two months is able to take you on and win you over like she has.” She sighed and faced him. “I don’t suppose you could spare two thousand dollars?”

Sage shook his head in wonder. The woman would never change. He wondered now how he could have loved her so much—even considered allowing her back into his life. He supposed the young Sage would always love her, but not the man he’d become. “I came back with fifteen hundred, all that was left of what those outlaws stole. That will have to do. And that will have to be the end, Joanna. I don’t want to see you back here again. I intend to start a family, so I won’t be handing out money like candy anymore. I’ll need it to keep building this ranch. Handle the money right, and you’ll be fine.”

Joanna nodded. “I know.” She stepped closer. “Thank you, Sage.”

Sage sighed deeply, thinking how superficial her beauty was. “I’d say you’re welcome, but that wouldn’t really be true.” He turned and headed for the door. Thunder rolled in the distance. A storm was coming… the only thing that frightened Maggie. He should be with her.

“Where are you going?” Joanna asked.

“Where do you think?”

Their gazes held. “If you came to my bed tonight, Sage, I wouldn’t turn you away.”

“A thank-you gift?”

She smiled. “I guess you could call it that.”

He grinned, shaking his head. “Sleep well, Joanna. Be ready to leave in the morning. Joe or Bill can take you where you can catch a train. While you’re in town, see about sending a preacher back to Paradise Valley, will you? Maggie and I are going to need one.”

“But, Sage… can’t we talk some more… for old times’ sake?”

More thunder… a flash of lightning. “These are new times, Joanna, and someone in that little cabin out there needs me.” He walked out and shut the door.

A clap of thunder caused Maggie to jump awake. Other than a faint glow through the grate of the woodstove, the room was dark. It took her a moment to gather her thoughts.

She wasn’t sure of the time, but it was dark, and Sage was still at the house with Joanna. Was he in her bed? Had she truly lost him?

Lightning flashed, and a louder clap of thunder caused her to pull a quilt closer around her neck. She thought about that night in the cabin with Sage, when she woke to a storm and was afraid. He’d held her in his strong arms and said he’d protect her. That’s when she asked him to make love to her.

What a glorious, magical night that was. She became Sage Lightfoot’s woman, and she didn’t regret it, even if she’d lost him now.

Rain poured down. She heard footsteps on the stoop outside then. Someone banged on the door. “Maggie, it’s me. Let me in.”

Sage! Maggie climbed off the rope-spring bed and hurried to unbolt the door. Sage stepped inside and shut the door, then stood there a moment, studying her by the glow of the embers.

“I love you, Maggie Tucker.”

His words were like heaven to Maggie.

“I couldn’t stand the thought of you being alone in a storm,” he continued. “When I watched you ride away this morning, I imagined how it would feel watching you ride out of my life, leaving Paradise Valley. I knew I could never let that happen, or let you be alone out there in the world.”

“Sage…”

He swept her into his arms. “I’ll never be an easy man to live with, Maggie, but I hope you’ll still have me.”

“You know I will!” Maggie wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I’ll always come for you, Maggie,” he told her, his voice gruff with emotion, “just like I’ve been doing since we met. I’ll always be here for you… you and that baby you’re carrying.”

“Sage, I love you so much!”

Hungry kisses. Breathless wanting.

Sage lifted her and carried her to the bed.

“Sage, what happened with Joanna?”

“It was just like I thought. She needed money. You might have fallen for her tears, but I knew they weren’t sincere.” He undressed, then moved under the quilt and pulled her into his strong, sure arms. “I’m afraid that the money we recovered will be in Joanna’s purse when she leaves in the morning.”

“Leaves? For good?”

“For good.”

“You mean, after all we went through to get that money back, you handed it over to Joanna?” Maggie saw by the dim light that he was grinning.

“Would you rather I came over here to tell you Joanna and I were getting back together?”

Maggie wondered if she was dreaming. “Of course not. I wouldn’t care if you gave her the whole ranch, and we lived in a tent, if it means we can always be together.”

“And that’s what I love about you, Maggie Tucker.”

Another loud clap of thunder nearly made the cabin shake. Maggie jumped, and Sage wrapped her tightly against him. “I can’t live without you, Maggie. You’re no ordinary woman, and I’m sure as hell no ordinary man. I guess that means we belong together.”

Maggie was afraid to believe any of this. She’d prayed so hard that she wouldn’t lose this man. “What about the baby?”

More kisses. “It’s mine, and no man or woman is ever going to know any different—ever. Neither will the baby. He or she will grow old never knowing I’m not the father.”

A tear slipped down Maggie’s cheek. “You’re
sure
you can love the baby?”

“I can love anything you love. The old life is gone, Maggie. We’ll start a new one together—right here in Paradise Valley.” He kissed her again, kissed away her tears.

“You’ll never regret this, Sage. I’ll make the best ranch wife you—”

He cut her off with another hungry kiss, moving his hands under her hips. Mating with this man seemed as natural as breathing. He was beautiful in soul, wild in spirit, and achingly handsome from head to toe.

They were sealing a pact. Sage made up his mind and had chosen Maggie Tucker. They’d known each other a little over two months, but the time they’d spent together, the things they’d been through, made it seem like a lifetime.

For Maggie, this place wasn’t called Paradise just because of the incredible beauty of the land. Her own paradise was right here in Sage Lightfoot’s arms, and she was never going to let go, no matter what hardships might lie in the future. They’d face them together.

A fierce storm raged outside the little cabin, but this time Maggie was not afraid.