The Gambler (19 page)

Chapter Twelve

He had to send all the way to Missoula for
the special chair and the moment Emmaline saw it, her lips thinned,
anger apparent in her eyes. "You're not pushing me around like some
invalid, Tristan Avery, and I mean it." He laughed and sat her in
the seat anyway.

"Well, I don't know how else you'll get
around the house. With Sarah expecting a baby come summer, she
can't carry you and I can't sit by your side all day. It's either
that chair or you'll have to lie on the floor and drag yourself
from room to room."

She huffed out a breath and crossed her arms
under her breasts. "I really dislike you at times."

He bent his knees to be eye level with her
and grinned. "Is today one of those times?"

"Yes."

"You didn't feel that way last night."

She blushed and turned her head. "That was
different."

"Maybe I should get naked. Will that make a
difference?"

A tiny grin lifted her lips. "Maybe."

Tristan laughed and moved to stand behind the
chair, pushing it forward to roll her into the study. The deed had
been on his mind since Emmaline's accident and he knew giving it
back to her was the right thing to do. She wouldn’t leave him. She
hadn't said as much but at the moment, she had no choice but to
stay. Until her leg healed properly, she needed him. He just hoped
she'd still need him after she had the deed in her hand.

Finding it in the desk drawer where he'd left
it, he turned to look at her. She was still pale and weak but
getting stronger every day. He smiled, crossed the room and
squatted to be eye level with her.

She looked at the deed in his hand, her eyes
sparkling as she looked back at him. "Is that my land deed?"

He nodded his head. "Yes. And I want to give
it back to you."

Something in her eyes told him she was
suspicious and she had every right to be. He laughed and leaned
forward, giving her a soft kiss. "But there's a few condition's
before I hand it over."

"And those would be?"

"First, you have to promise me you won't go
back there alone. If and when you decide to leave, I come with
you."

Her eyes widened a fraction. "You want to
come with me?"

"Most definitely."

Joy lit her face. "Done. I can't possibly
mine all that gold by myself anyway. I'll need someone else to
help."

"Using me again. I'm surprised at you, Miss
Hunt." He grinned and inhaled a deep breath. "The second condition
is… you marry me."

Her entire body went still, her wide eyes
locked with his and he wasn't even sure she was breathing. When she
blinked, his heart skipped a beat.

"You're blackmailing me now?"

Tristan laughed. "No." He pushed the curls
that had escaped her braid away from her face before rubbing the
back of his fingers across her cheek. "I want you, Emmaline.
Always." He lifted the deed and placed it in her hand. "If this is
what it'll take to make you mine, then so be it."

Tears gathered in her eyes and she smiled as
she stared down at the deed. When she looked up at him, he knew
she'd say yes. "I want blonde haired babies with blue eyes."

Tristan grinned and wrapped his arms around
her. "I think I can manage that."

"I want my own house, too. And no more
gambling, Tristan. I'm not chasing you down every day and dragging
you out of a saloon every night."

"Done."

She laughed and hugged him back. "You're a
terrible liar, Tristan Avery."

"And what do you think I'm lying about?"

Leaning back to look at him, her eyes
sparkling with happiness, she grinned. "You're a gambler and I know
for a fact they're all liars and cheats. You were probably cheating
when you won this deed, weren't you?"

He grinned. "I'll never tell."

Epilogue

Emmaline had never attended a wedding, let
alone thought she'd have one of her own, but gazing out at the
crowd filling the yard in front of the house, she had to will her
own tears away. She'd never been as happy as she was today.

The day was warm, spring filling the air with
the sweet scent of flowers and children's laughter. Neighbors from
miles around came to witness the event and she'd met so many
people, she knew she'd never remember their names. She only half
listened to the group of women surrounding her, her attention on
the man who'd given her everything she'd secretly dreamed of.

Tristan was standing across the yard with the
men, his smile lighting his entire face. He turned and caught her
staring, the smile changing to one she knew well. It promised
things that caused her blood to heat, for her stomach to clench and
her heart to race.

Laughter drew her attention and Emmaline
blinked and focused on the women surrounding her. They were all
staring at her. "What?"

Abigail, holding her infant daughter, was the
first to speak. "We were just wondering when we could expect the
next Avery to join the family." She glanced at Sarah, who had only
recently told of her own pregnancy. "Since Sarah and Colt are
expecting, it's only natural you'll be next. Any plans to make that
happen in the near future?"

Emmaline blushed. "No. Not anytime soon."
They had a gold mine to see to before children came into their
plans and Tristan was as eager to get started as she was. As soon
as summer set in, they'd be headed back to Idaho, to Cottonwood
Springs, and their gold mine.

Tristan interrupted their little gathering
and pulled her away and kept walking, all the way to the barn. He
stopped just outside the door and smiled at her. "I don't know
about you, but I'm ready to get the wedding night started."

"In the barn?" Emmaline laughed and raised
one eyebrow. "I had something else in mind."

"So do I." He pulled open the barn doors. The
wagon was there, loaded with their bags and the stable hands were
hitching the horses to it. "I thought we'd go into Missoula. Spend
a week or two being waited on in the hotel, catch a few shows and
be alone for a while."

"How many saloons are in Missoula?"

He actually blushed before shrugging his
shoulder. "I'm not sure."

"Liar."

Tristan grinned and lowered his head until
their mouths were but a brush of his lips away. "Four."

"And how many do you plan on visiting?"

"Just the one's you walk into."

She stared up at him and could see the
sparkle in his eyes. He may look like a cowboy now with his denim
and work shirts but Emmaline knew, deep down, Tristan would always
be a gambler. She didn't fault him for it. If he hadn't won her
land in a card game, her life would have never turned out so great.
She wouldn’t have a family now or a warm bed to sleep in at night
and she wouldn't have a man who loved her, unconditionally. If he
wanted to play a few card games, then so be it. She'd just make
sure he knew where home was.

The Rancher,
Willow Creek book
4

Coming June 2012

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About the Author:

LILY GRAISON resides in
North Carolina, a stones throw away from the Blue Ridge Mountains
and a few hours from the Outer Banks. First published in 2005, her
debut novel won a Reviewers Choice Award. The author of over a
dozen published books, Lily writes in the Western, Contemporary and
Paranormal Romance genres.

When not writing, Lily can be
found at her sewing machine creating 1800’s Period Dresses or
curled up in a chair with a book in her hand.

For more about Lily Graison, visit any of the
following websites:

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http://lilygraison.com/

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If you enjoyed this book, check out other
books by this author:

Western Romance

The Lawman (Willow Creek #1)

The Outlaw (Willow Creek #2)

The Gambler (Willow Creek #3)

Contemporary Romance

Wicked: Tempt Me Not (Wicked Series #1)

Wicked: Leather and Lace (Wicked Series
#2)

Wicked: Jade Butterfly (Wicked Series #3)

Wicked: Sweet Temptation (Wicked Series
#4)

A Touch of Heaven (single title romance)

Destined Hearts (single title romance)

Blame It On The Mistletoe (single title
romance)

That First Christmas ( single title
romance)

Paranormal Romance

The Calling (Night Breeds Series #1)

The Gathering (Night Breeds Series #2)