Twice a Texas Bride (30 page)

A shadow crossed Callie's eyes. “She will be over time.”

“That's all we can ask. We'll shower her with love, and the memories will fade.” He set her on her feet. “I have a feeling Toby will help a lot. I'm sure he'll have her playing in his tepee in nothing flat and telling her they have to take care of Wren.”

She sighed and leaned against him. “I feel as if a huge fire has passed through and left charred remains everywhere. But underneath the soot and ash is good, strong land that the fire couldn't touch. We have so much to be grateful for, Rand. Nothing can destroy what we have.”

His heart couldn't contain the joy that burst from it. She was right. They had everything they needed, and nothing could take it. Ignoring the pain, he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that made the heat pool low in his belly.

“I can't wait to get you home, Mrs. Sinclair.”

Surrounded by the beautiful water of Brushy Lake, Callie felt Mariah pressing against her, clutching her dress. She put her arms around her daughter's thin shoulders. “I want you to meet someone who's very, very special. Rand, this is my daughter, my Mariah.”

Rand started to shake her hand, but when she moved in for a hug, his arms encircled her. “Young lady, I'm extremely happy to meet you. Our home is yours.”

The girl's forehead wrinkled as she studied him. The timid smile that curved her mouth reflected her approval. “What do I call you?”

“Whatever you want. How about starting with Papa Rand?”

She twisted the hold she had on Callie's dress. “I'd like that. I never had a papa before. I never had anyone who wanted me, except maybe old Nellie Solomon. But she didn't have a choice.”

“Whoever Nellie is, we owe her for taking care of you. And make no mistake, your mama and I want you very badly.” He kissed her bruised and bloody cheek. Taking off his coat, he wrapped it around her. “This'll warm you right up.”

Callie no longer had a shred of a doubt about Rand's acceptance. He'd already taken her lost Mariah into his heart and planted her right next to Toby and Wren in the garden of family he'd tilled and cultivated.

“Thank you, Rand,” Callie said, putting her arm through his. “The size of your heart never ceases to amaze me.”

“Gotta take care of my girls.” He winked. “And my son. Ready to go home?”

“I mean to tend to your shoulder and see what new damage you did to it. You're bleeding something awful.”

Her gaze lit on Emmett, who stood next to the horses with his hands bound. He stared sadly at Virgil's body, which lay at his feet, yet he seemed relieved. She owed Emmett Fleming. Out of all his brothers, he was the only one with a conscience. Without his help, things would've been a lot worse.

“Give me just a minute.” She stepped toward the man who'd shown the size of his heart and hugged him. “Thank you for all you did. I owe you a great debt. When you go to trial, I'll ask the judge to grant leniency.”

Emmett glanced down. “It's more than I deserve. I'm glad I could help right a few of the wrongs Nate did. Take care of that little girl. And my nephew.”

“I will.” Callie glanced toward Mariah. Her daughter's hand was clutching Rand's, and though her smile was slight, it was there. “You can be assured of that.”

* * *

The sun was high in the sky by the time Callie washed Rand's wounded shoulder with lake water and re-bandaged it. Some of Cooper's men had retrieved Nate's body and were tying it to a horse.

Brett was standing with Rand and her when Tom Mason came over. Callie and Rand moved closer, and when Cooper joined them, they created a circle around Brett.

“You're a difficult man to find,” Mason said, offering his hand. “I'm—”

“Tom Mason. I know.” Brett stared at the gesture of friendship a long moment before he briefly touched the man's hand. “Why are you looking for me? I've never laid eyes on you.”

Mason's nervous gaze swept the protective shield around Brett. “Though I used to be a Pinkerton, I now locate things people have lost. I was hired to find you.”

“By who?” Rand ordered.

“His sister. She hired me to locate her brother.”

“You've mistaken me for someone else,” Brett said in a tight voice. “I have no sister, no kin, no one except my brothers.”

Watching the tall, proud Indian struggle against the hope that Mason might be right made Callie's chest ache. He couldn't allow himself to believe, because it was easier than facing the devastating pain if the news turned out to be untrue. She'd seen Rand face a similar dilemma. Her heart broke for these brothers who had made their own family when they had none. But despite all the odds stacked against them, they'd grown into big, strong men.

Cooper spoke up. “He'll need to see proof. I trust you have some.”

“I do.” Mason pulled an envelope from inside his vest. “Her name is Sarah. She wrote a letter in addition to sending the record of your birth.”

“For your sake, you better hope this is true,” Rand said, putting a hand on Brett's shoulder as he took the envelope.

Tom Mason smiled. “I'm very good at what I do. I assure you there has been no mistake. Sarah Woodbridge is his sister, and she is anxious to come and meet him.”

Callie touched Brett's arm. “Sarah could be a lovely woman, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss the answers she may provide. Your life is about to change.”

When Brett lifted his eyes to hers, she saw a glimmer of tears, and her heart broke.

He folded the envelope and tucked it into his shirt. “I'll look at this in my own time.”

“Let's go home,” Cooper said in his deep voice. “We're burning daylight. Rand, can I have a word?”

The two brothers moved away, and Callie saw Cooper hand Rand something.

Then everyone turned to their horses. Callie accepted a hand up onto Blue. She looked forward to the slow ride back to the ranch, sitting in front of her husband. She never wanted to be away from him again. He was her rock, the one who grounded her, the one who slayed demons. Nothing held meaning without him beside her.

The leather creaked as he threw his long leg over the roan's back and settled into the saddle. When his hand slid around her waist, she leaned against the solid wall of his chest and breathed the scent of the wild Texas land that was their home.

“Mama, I love you. Thank you for coming for me,” Mariah called from where she sat with Brett on his beautiful mustang.

Hearing her daughter call her Mama for the first time brought a lump to her throat, making it difficult to speak. Swallowing hard, she called back, “I love you too, sweetheart.”

Her life wasn't in the gloaming any longer. She walked in golden sunshine, and when the night shadows came and the wind shook the trees, she would have no fear.

They'd gone about a mile when she saw a rider ahead, coming fast. When he drew up beside them, she recognized the man as one of Cooper's ranch hands.

“Gotta find Boss. Hope you can tell me where he is.”

“What's wrong?” Rand asked. Callie could feel the tension in his body. Even tired and injured, he was ready to help.

“Miss Delta is having the babies. I was told to find Boss.”

“That's great news.” Rand told the cowboy that Cooper was at Brushy Lake, and the ranch hand galloped off without wasting any more time on conversation.

“Coop's going to be a father,” Rand said, grinning.

Callie sighed and kissed him. “I'm so happy for them. Looks like our families are growing by leaps and bounds.”

“I'm such a fool. I spent all these years convincing myself that I was happy being a bachelor, that it was the only way to keep everything locked inside. Thank goodness you found a key that could open my heart.”

Happiness washed over her like waves on a seashore. “You found one for mine too. Maybe that's what loving someone is about. Finding and keeping keys for each other. We make a good team, sweetheart.”

* * *

A flurry of activity began when they rode up to the house a little while later. While Callie gave Mariah a bath and found her something clean to wear, Rand collected Toby and little Wren. His family was finally all together and safe. And as families who loved each other did, everyone helped him pick up the wreckage from the kitchen and nail boards over the broken windows.

Then, as the purple shadows settled over the land, they sat around the table eating the best meal Rand had ever had. Maybe it was because of all the thankfulness in his heart. He made sure to give each child a measure of loving attention as they ate.

He had a special kind of attention planned for his wife after the house grew still and the little ones were in dreamland.

After he helped Callie make quick work of the kitchen, he relaxed in the parlor, surrounded by his beautiful family. Watching three of the best children he could ask for and a wife who stirred a fire inside, he knew without a doubt he was the richest man on earth.

The terror of the morning seemed far away.

Mariah and Toby played with the baby on a quilt on the floor. From the minute Toby asked Mariah if she'd like to see his tepee, they'd been as thick as thieves. The girl fit in as though she'd always been there, even helping her mother with the supper dishes.

Questions about where she'd been all this time swarmed in his head like pesky flies. Shortly after they'd gotten back, Callie had taken Mariah aside for a talk. He assumed Callie had learned some things. He couldn't wait to find out.

The gentle squeak of the rocking chair drew Rand's attention. His eyes met the smoldering passion in Callie's gaze. His shy wife winked at him and he had no trouble reading her mind. Thank goodness it was about bedtime. He didn't know how much more torture he could take.

Finally, they put the baby in her crib upstairs, and Callie tucked Mariah and Toby into bed. He came to join her after finishing up a surprise he had planned for his beautiful wife.

They stood in the doorway for a moment, drinking in the sight. Peace rippled along Rand's tall frame. Curling his fingers around Callie's, he led her across the hall to their place of refuge. Lighting the lamp, he pulled her into his arms. “I'm going to kiss you senseless, darlin'. You might as well get ready.”

“I was born ready, Mr. Sinclair.” She melted against him and parted her lips slightly for his kiss.

Making good on his promise sparked the smoldering embers that were always just beneath the surface, but Rand wasn't ready for the pleasurable task of putting out the blaze. Not yet. He had lots more planned first. He swept her into his arms and carried her to the kitchen for the little surprise he'd prepared.

A warm fire in the stove.

A tub full of hot water.

A half-dozen candles providing soft light.

Callie gave a little squeal of delight. “When did you do this?”

“That, my darling, is a secret.” He set her on her feet, closed the door, and propped a chair under the knob to keep out nosy children who might disturb them. Then he set to work stripping off his wife's clothes and kissing each raw scrape, especially the deep cuts the ropes had made into her wrists.

Then he lowered her into the warm water and hurriedly removed his clothes and the bandage covering his wounded shoulder.

Seconds later, he slipped into the water and pulled her against him. “I never get tired of looking at you and thinking how lucky I am.” He picked up a washcloth and began washing away every hurt and fear and disappointment she'd suffered. He meant to shower her with so much love, she wouldn't have time to give the past one thought.

Callie swiveled and her brilliant smile sent his blood racing. Lifting his hand to her heart, she left a kiss on his lips that spoke of burning hunger and desire.

“I beg to differ. I am the lucky one. Out of all the places in the world to choose to hide in, I came here. To you.”

Lifting her hair, Rand nuzzled the slender column of her neck.

“Before we get carried away, my wife, I have to know where Mariah has been these seven years. Does anyone have a claim to her?”

“No, no one will fight us for her. An old woman by the name of Nellie Solomon took her in. It seems that Edmund brought Mariah to her as a babe and threatened to harm her if she didn't keep quiet about where the child came from. Mariah told me the folks in Tobacco Root, Kansas, called her Wild Nellie and claimed she was a witch. Edmund made her take Mariah because he said my baby was the devil's spawn. I know it's wrong to hate a man who's dead, but I do. I can't help it.”

A muscle worked in Rand's jaw as stillness came over him. “Was Nellie mean to our daughter?”

“Relax, dear.” Callie wiggled until there was not one iota of space between their bodies. Rand gave a small groan. She began to draw tiny circles on his arm. “Nellie treated her with kindness. She must be a little touched in the head, though, because Mariah said the woman sometimes forgot to feed her. From what I can gather, Mariah pretty much took care of the old woman. You'll never guess what our sweet girl asked.”

Rand nibbled on her earlobe. “What?”

“If we'd take her back to check on Nellie. She's worried about the old woman, afraid that Nate might've killed her.”

“Of course we will. It's little enough to ask.” He caressed the enticing curve of her back and shoulder and waist. Following the outline of her luscious body, he found the contour of her breast. His breathing became ragged.

They were not going to get a wink of sleep this night, and neither cared.

* * *

By the time they'd washed and kissed and caressed every inch of each other's bath-slickened skin, the water had grown cold.

Still, Callie's body craved more. Now that her fear was gone, she had to have the pleasure that Rand's lovemaking brought. Her aroused body was demanding release that only Rand could give her.

She stood while he wrapped her in a towel and carried her upstairs.

The second he laid her on the bed, she reached for him, pulling him on top of her. This coupling demanded immediate fulfillment. They would go slow later but not now; the need was too great.

With his ragged breath matching her heaving gasps, he entered her hard and fast.

Her cry of pleasure echoed in the room as moonlight streamed through the window, bathing her in liquid silver.

This act of passion was raw, primal, heightened. And it made her feel so alive.

The turbulent air swirled around them like a wild lightning storm, and each time he plunged into her, she felt the power and strength of their love. Her desire for him overrode everything in this mad, hurtling rush toward the point of no return.

Groaning, he ground his mouth to hers.

His bruising kisses took even as they gave back.