To Wed in Texas (35 page)

His rough hands moved so gently over her tender flesh she shivered. He pulled her against him but didn’t stop his discovery of her.

He was her world, and she was his. He felt her happiness as his own and she felt his desire in the very core of her. The loneliness they’d suffered made their closeness far sweeter.

Suddenly, he pulled away and stood. For a long moment, he stared down at her.

She saw the passion in his eyes. A wild animal ready to run with her into a paradise he’d never known. A man looking at what he cherished most…her.

He pulled off his trousers and knelt beside her. Without a word, he put his warm hand on her thigh and encouraged her legs to open.

As she opened, he stroked her gently, completely.

“Are you frightened?” His voice rumbled with need.

“No,” she whispered as he lowered over her, entering her swiftly and fully.

Karlee felt the pain and opened her mouth to cry out, but his lips closed over hers, swallowing her cry. The kiss now was deep, no longer with longing but with passion. He took her breath as he took her body, without resistance.

She moved with him, and the pain disappeared. He dug his hands into her hair and shifted in the timeless dance of lovemaking. She joined him, wanting more. He moved faster, giving her his weight with each thrust.

All the years of being alone, of never being touched, of never being loved melted away. Her heart pounded wildly, beating to the rhythm of his movements.

He carried her in passion’s fantasy higher and higher, until the world shattered and pure pleasure bolted through her body.

He shoved into her, once, twice more, before she felt him tense, and she knew the bolt had struck him as well.

For a few minutes neither of them could move. They lay wrapped in one another’s arms. He rolled to his side, drawing her with him.

Karlee laced her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.

Daniel stared at the fireplace for a long time. Finally, he found the energy to stroke her hair and kiss her forehead lightly. His fingers slid lazily along her back.

As much as he’d denied it since the moment he saw her, he loved her. He’d fallen hard and landed solidly on his heart. A heart he thought long since made of stone.

“I love you,” he whispered as his mouth took hers with the sweet taste of satisfaction.

His hand slid over her body lovingly, caressing, cherishing.

“I know,” she answered almost asleep.

W
HEN DANIEL FINALLY MANAGED THE ENERGY TO
move, Karlee was sound asleep. He unfolded from her wondering if she had any idea how perfect she was for him.

Somehow in this insane world, she’d come into his life. Her unpredictability kept him guessing. Her self-doubt only made him want to cherish her more. Her unwavering love wrapped him in a warmth that thawed all his emotions.

And her passion…there were no words for how her passion made him feel. He only knew that if he made love to her every morning and night of his life, he’d never get enough of the feel of her, the taste of her, the need for her.

He moved the table back in place and, after he dressed in his study, collected a pile of clothes for her.

When he returned to the kitchen, she hadn’t moved. The light still danced on her body, making her look like some heavenly creature who’d tumbled to earth.

He warmed a pan of water and sat down beside her. Slowly, he began washing her. She’d mumble in her sleep from time to time, but she accepted his touch as so much a part of her life she didn’t awaken.

Gently, he dressed her, knowing that tonight he’d repeat the action in reverse. When he finished the last button on her blouse, he glanced up and saw her watching him.

“How long have you been awake?” There was no apology in his tone.

“About the bloomers, but you were having such a good time, I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“I think I like undressing you more,” he whispered as he pulled her into his arms. “I was trying to let you sleep a while longer.”

“I need to fix breakfast.” She kissed him lightly.

“I’ve had breakfast,” he answered, leaving no doubt as to what he was talking about. “And I must say, Mrs. McLain, you do some things in the kitchen quite well.”

“Thank you, Reverend. It was my pleasure.”

“And mine.”

He pulled her to her feet and kissed her soundly, loving the way she never pulled away from him.

When he raised his head, she saw a fire smoldering in his eyes. “Would you like another serving?” she asked boldly.

“Yes,” he laughed, “But I’ll starve myself until tonight. Right now, I’d like to make sure the men who tried to take you away from me are rotting in jail.”

“I’ll comb my hair and go with you.” She moved away from him and was halfway across the room before she turned. “And Daniel,” she giggled. “It was wonderful.”

He tried to look stern but knew he failed. “You’re not supposed to talk of such things.”

She disappeared without promising, but he didn’t care. He planned to love her, not judge her.

A few minutes later, she came back with her hair in a proper little bun. He pulled on a fresh jacket as a tap sounded on the kitchen door.

Karlee threw the lock before he could stop her.

Gerilyn walked in, her face so pale her powder looked pink. She was closely followed by a tall, rather thin gentleman who held her elbow in a tight grip.

“I know I promised you time, Daniel. But I simply must pick up my luggage. It seems to be scattered all over the porches. This gentleman insisted on helping me.”

She turned to the man behind her. “I’d like you to meet my brother-in-law, Daniel McLain, and his wife …”

Daniel took one step toward the door as the stranger sauntered inside without waiting to be invited.

“Reverend McLain.” He nodded as he stood beside Karlee.

Daniel hesitated. “Have we met, sir?”

“No, but that was my error. We should have met last night. I’m Cullen Baker.” As he spoke, he pulled a small derringer from his vest pocket and pointed it toward Karlee. “And I assure you though this gun is small, it will make you a widower. I’ve come for my rifles. Your sister-in-law was kind enough to show me the way.”

Gerilyn let out a very lady-like scream and fainted. No one moved to her aid.

Daniel appeared almost calm. “You’d better have two bullets in that weapon, because if you kill her, you’ll have to kill me as well.”

Baker looked sarcastic. “How touching. A man who loves his wife. Well, maybe I’ll grant your request. One could go first.” He moved the gun until it pointed at Daniel.

“I’ll show you the rifles!” Karlee interrupted.

Baker smiled. “That’s better.” He pointed the gun back at Karlee, guessing Daniel was less likely to charge if there was a chance the bullet would hit her. “Where are they, Mrs. McLain?”

“On the porch. In a trunk that’s shoved into a corner.” Karlee took a step closer to Daniel. “Take them and go.”

Baker motioned for both of them to move ahead of him as he casually stepped over Gerilyn’s body. “I would have come by last night, Mrs. McLain, but I didn’t think it necessary. Now you see, I not only must get my own guns, I resent you putting half my men, dumb as they are, in jail.”

When Daniel walked through the door, he saw his gun belt hanging over the railing. But Karlee stood between him and the weapon. If he moved for the gun, Baker would have time to get off a shot.

“They’re in the trunk.” Karlee pointed to the finely tooled leather trunk. Someone must have removed the tablecloth.

Baker watched them both as he worked the latch. When he lifted the lid, Daniel moved closer to Karlee.

“Take the guns and go, Baker. We have no quarrel with you.”

The outlaw reached into the trunk and pulled out a handful of lacy petticoats. He dug deeper, spilling lingerie across the porch.

“What is this?” He was not a man who tolerated being double-crossed.

Daniel knew time had run out. He shoved Karlee aside and stood facing Cullen guessing the man would demand an answer before killing him.

“The guns!” Baker snapped. “I’ll burn this house to the ground before anyone takes anything from me!” He threw a handful of underthings on the ground.

Gerilyn flew from the doorway, rage awakening a warrior as her underthings drifted like colorful snowflakes across the porch.

Daniel rushed forward into Baker’s direct line of fire. Karlee screamed. For only a fraction of a second, Baker hesitated.

Daniel had his opening. He slammed into Baker, sending the derringer flying. With two mighty blows, Baker swung backward and tumbled into the trunk.

Karlee slammed the lid and strapped the latch. Gerilyn pounded on the trunk as if beating Cullen senseless.

When she stopped, all was quiet, all was still.

For a moment Daniel, Karlee, and Gerilyn stared at one another, afraid to believe it was over.

“How dare that man handle my private things!” Gerilyn attacked the trunk once more pounding as she lectured him on what was proper.

“He could have killed you,” Karlee cried. Suddenly fear overwhelmed her.

Daniel pulled her close. “No, darling. He could have killed you. That alone would have killed me. I’m a man who has always believed in peace, but you’re worth fighting for.”

She forced her tears away. “What do we do with him?”

“We’ll let Gerilyn handle him for a while.” Daniel smiled. “I’ll hitch the buggy and get the rest of her luggage. After she’s on board, we’ll take him down to the jail and let them figure it out.”

They walked toward the steps. Karlee stopped suddenly. “But wait! If the guns are not in the trunk, they must be …”

Daniel followed her thoughts. “In one of the other trunks?”

Karlee nodded.

“Why don’t we just leave them there? Gerilyn can turn them over to the Army in New Orleans.”

“Shall we tell her?”

Daniel glanced over at the wild woman still pounding on the trunk and yelling. “No, let her be surprised. I’ve learned a few unexpected turns in life can be very interesting.”

An hour later, Gerilyn was aboard telling everyone all the details of a story “too terrible to talk about.”

Karlee took the twins and walked back home, thankful to no longer have company. Daniel delivered the trunk to Wolf at the jail but didn’t stay around to watch the unpacking.

It was almost dark by the time he finished his errands and made it back to Karlee. When he opened the door, he smiled. She was sitting on the floor with the twins, teaching them to make clothes for their dolls. Supper was burning on the stove. He was home.

She didn’t say a word as she went about being the best wife she knew how to be. He hardly noticed the cornbread that crumbled in his hand or the coffee still full of grounds. He read to the twins, then she put them to bed.

When she came back downstairs, Daniel was waiting for her.

“I wanted to ask you something,” he said, suddenly nervous.

“All right.” She trying to guess what bothered him so.

“Will you marry me.”

She smiled. “I thought I was married to you, Daniel.”

“I know, but I wanted to ask you so you’d know you’d been asked right and proper.”

Karlee understood. “And what is the bargain you offer?”

“A forever kind of marriage. A true marriage. I don’t have much. This house isn’t mine. The church burned, and my income from the articles is never enough. Most folks would say you’re getting saddled with a readymade family. But I promise to love and cherish you for the rest of my life.”

“Then I’ll be your wife.” She answered. “My home will be your arms.”

He hugged her tightly. “Come along, Mrs. McLain.”
They walked, arm in arm into the kitchen. She was looking up at him and for a moment she didn’t see all the people standing quietly around the table loaded down with presents of all sizes, wrapped in shiny paper with pink ribbons on each box.

“What’s this?”

“It’s your birthday, my love.” He grinned.

D
ANIEL HEARD THE CHURCH BELL RESOUNDING
through the clear summer air. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath thinking how he’d missed the sound.