by Danni Roan
Dan pulled her close placing her on his outstretched legs and dropped his forehead to hers as his hands cupped her face. “All I want is a chance,” he whispered. “A chance to show you that I love you and that I want to care for you and Christina. I don’t expect you to love me. I just want a chance.”
Rosa’s soft intake of breath made Dan drop his hands, his eyes closing in pain as he understood her response. She couldn’t do it. She was determined to make it on her own.
Rosa stared at the dejected features of the man she had wed and a single tear trickled from her eye as the shell around her heart cracked. How could he be willing to love her knowing she might never love him back? His simple words seemed to melt into her heart filling it with a flicker of hope and love. Letting go of the past she wrapped her arms around Dan’s neck finding his lips in love’s first kiss.
***
Dan woke for the second time that day to the soft patter of rain on the roof but this time everything came rushing back in a wave of heat and joy. Rosa was his. She had chosen him, and they lay together in a tangle of old blankets and half-dry clothes.
Rosa stirred in his arms, her eyes fluttering open as a shy smile broke across her face. “Hello.”
“Hello,” Dan grinned. He was half afraid to speak for fear that he would shatter the peace of the moment. He didn’t know how to move forward with his little wife. He loved her, respected her, cared for her, but wasn’t sure what to do.
“Is it still raining?” Rosa pulled the blankets around her as she sat up rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“I think so,” Dan offered sitting up and reaching for another log for the fire.
“Will you hang this up for me?” Rosa lifted the last of her garments toward him. “See if my dress is dry. We will need to find food soon.”
Dan took the clothing from Rosa’s hand leaning over impulsively to kiss the top of her head. Wrapping the second blanket around his waist, he hung the damp garments and checked her dress. “It’s dry,” he said lifting it from the hook and handing it to her.
“Turn around,” Rosa insisted making him chuckle as he turned back to the fire and began stirring the embers with a stick.
Dan felt elated but cautious with the new relationship. As much as his heart had longed for Rosa, he wasn’t sure what came next.
“You can turn around now,” Rosa said. “I will go outside and you can dress.” She gave him an appraising look that didn’t match the modesty she had demanded a moment ago, but he nodded waiting until she stepped out into the door.
Quickly Dan pulled his scattered clothing back together slipping his hand through the slice in his best shirt with the shake of his head. His fingers lingered on the bandage wound around his ribs, but other than a twinge of pain, it felt fine.
The door swung open and he quickly buttoned his pants and shrugged into the shirt. His coat was still damp so he left it where it hung. Turning he smiled as Rosa looked up with him. She looked relaxed; her dark eyes shining then started to laugh as he scratched the back of his neck.
“It is dark outside.” She said, tipping her head. “Why are you nervous?” Rosa moved to stand before him resting her hands on his sides as she looked up into his eyes. “You are worried that I will change my mind?”
“I don’t know.” Dan’s hand stilled on the back of his neck. “I don’t know what to expect next.”
Rosa’s bright smile lit up his heart and he started to relax. “Daniel Gaines, I am not a fickle woman. Hot tempered yes,” Rosa laughed. “I did not know how you felt, and I am sorry that I thought bad things about you.”
“It’s alright,” Dan jumped in. “Now that I know, I understand and I don’t blame you.”
Rosa released him pacing the room in a few quick steps. “After Raul and what he did, I thought that there would be no love for me again. I could not hope that it was possible. Not for who I am, what I am. Raul knew who I was and chose me, anyway. When I found out what he did. How he borrowed money from his outlaw brother, it made me angry. I felt betrayed by the man I loved and lost. I did not hope for anything more. I have Christina and that is enough.” The petite woman turned pacing the room again as she wrapped her arms around her middle. “I do not know why you love me,” she stopped her back to him, “but I will accept it. I must learn to trust again.”
In two long strides Dan was behind her pulling her into his arms and pressing her close to his heart. “I didn’t expect any of this.” His voice caught in his throat, but he forced himself to continue. “When I made you that offer right after Raul was killed, I meant it for what it was: a way to provide for the wife and daughter of my friend. I was eaten up with guilt that I hadn’t been able to save him. If I had known I would have given him the money to pay Rivera back. Later I was eaten up with guilt for the way I felt about you.”
Rosa closed her eyes the pain of losing Raul springing fresh in her heart once more, as she sought comfort in Dan’s arms.
“Later,” Dan rested his chin against her head letting his words fall around them. “Later, I grew to respect you for who you were even if every time I tried to talk to you we fought.”
Rosa’s chuckle rippled through his chest and Dan grinned. “You are a very stubborn woman you know.” He pulled back looking down into her face. “I didn’t even know I was falling in love with you until your father came to town. When he threatened to take you from Needful, I thought my world would end. I couldn’t let you go.”
“That is why you did what you did?” Rosa said looking into his blue eyes amazed at his confession.
Dan nodded. “Then I felt guilty for wanting you. You were Raul’s wife, and he was my friend. I thought it was wrong, but I still couldn’t let you go. Even if only to keep you from having to return to Mexico with your father or to give you a chance to live the life you chose for yourself, I was willing to do this.”
“I’m glad you did,” Rosa admitted. “I was so wrapped up in my own pain and sorrow that I could not believe you had good intentions. I did not want to be dependent on a man again. As much as I loved Raul, and as much as I understand why he did what he did, I was hurt and angry. Trusting after such pain is difficult.”
Dan placed his finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to his once more. “Are you ready to try now?”
Rosa nodded. “I would not have kissed you, been with you, if I was not.” Her face heated but Dan’s lips found hers once more chasing away the embarrassment and reminding her that she was a woman, newlywed.
Chapter 25
Dan pulled back from the kiss his heart racing and smiled down at Rosa. He would end up with a crook in his neck at this rate.
“Now what?” he asked knowing instinctively he should give Rosa the lead.
“Now you go catch us some dinner.” Rosa’s bright laugh filled the room and Dan threw back his head joining her as joy filled them both with new hope.
“All right,” he chuckled kissing her once more before heading for the door. “I’ll see if I can snare a rabbit or something.”
He was only able to find a few wild potatoes for them to roast in the fire but that night he started a whole new life with the woman he loved.
***
Dan eased his way through the small clump of trees that protected them from much of the weather. A cool drizzle of rain misted through the leaves as his eyes scanned the ground looking for any sign of rabbits or other game. He had set up a snare the night before and hoped they’d have some luck this morning. As soon as the weather broke he and Rosa would have to start looking for a town.
The sound of voices near the river caught his attention and his head snapped up as he hurried back the way he had just come.
Slipping behind a tree, he gazed out across the grassland he and Rosa had climbed out on expecting to see a boat on the river, he wasn’t prepared to see his brother easing a horse through the rushes scanning for sign.
“Spencer!” Dan shouted rushing out of the trees and waving his brother down as other r
iders moved toward him.
“I thought my days of dragging you out of trouble were over long ago,” Spencer shouted back with a grin. “Don’t you know you’re supposed to be on your honeymoon, not camping out in the woods?” he scanned the area pushing his horse into a trot until he stopped before his brother. “Where’s Rosa?” Spencer’s voice was tight with fear.
“She’s fine,” Dan breathed reaching out and clasping his brother’s hand. “We found a little cabin in the woods.”
Spencer visibly relaxed as Juan Xavier and a few of his men joined them.
“Rosa’s fine.” The brothers called out together, laughing and breaking the dark tension that swirled around the other man.
“How d'you get here so fast?” Dan asked looking back toward the cabin before confronting the other men. “We only went overboard yesterday morning.”
“A rider brought us a wire,” Spencer said. “Which reminds me, as you are the mayor, I think you should think about getting a telegraph to Needful. Anyway, this rider came in. The wire said you’d been thrown overboard by two men who had been robbing the guests on the river boat. Some man named Harold had found them knocked out on the deck with his wife’s jewelry in their pockets. When they came to, he got the story out of them.”
Dan sighed with relief. “I wouldn’t have expected that,” he admitted. “I’m just glad to see you.”
“Where is my daughter?” Juan Xavier asked. “I would like to see her.”
“Better bring food then,” Dan chuckled waiting as both men dismounted and followed him into the trees. A moment later his knuckles fell on the damp door of the little cabin and Rosa opened it.
“Father!” Rosa gasped as Dan stepped through the door leading their guests.
Juan Xavier pulled Rosa into a deep hug. “I am so sorry,” he said. “If I had thought you were in danger, I never would have insisted.”
Rosa pulled out of his arms, her hand sliding into Dan’s. “I am fine,” she said. “I have a man who cares about me enough to risk his own neck to save me.” She smiled up at Dan, and for the first time, he knew that everything would be all right.
“Can we go home now?” Rosa looked between Dan and Spencer, her eyes pleading. “I want to see my daughter. We have much to do as we start this new life.”
Dan nodded giving her hand a squeeze. “How about lunch?” he teased.
“We won’t get home before dark if we leave now,” Spencer reminded her. “Why don’t we set up camp outside, and we’ll head for Needful first thing in the morning. It’s a long ride.”
Rosa nodded accepting the sense of it though her heart longed for home. A new home. A new start in Needful.
Soon the little cabin was full of the men from the search party, and she was cooking what they had brought with them over the fire while Spencer explained that under questioning the men who had thrown her overboard had given a rough idea of where they had gone into the water.
“We switched horses three times to get here as soon as we did,” he grinned. “Juan Xavier wouldn’t slow down if it meant he had to buy all the horses himself.”
Rosa turned to her father. “Thank you,” she said, truly meaning it. Perhaps, in time, she would be able to forgive her father for his selfishness all those years before. For now, she was just thankful that he had come for her, and that she would be home soon.
The next evening, an exhausted Rosa slid from the saddle she had shared with Dan through the long ride home and into the arms of Olive Hampton.
“Oh my goodness,” the older woman glared up at the mayor. “Only gone a day, and he almost looses you.” Olive pulled Rosa along with her into the Hampton House ignoring Dan as he dismounted, hitching his weary mount to the hitching rail.
“Looks like I’m in trouble again,” he grumbled, shooting a hard look at his brother. He had no sooner ridden into town than his wife was whisked away from him, and he was wondering if they would ever have a moment alone again. Trudging into the Hampton House, Dan stepped into the bustle of the dining hall; the smells of savory food making his stomach turn over with hunger.
“Dan!” Daliah cheered hurrying to him and hugging him tight. “I’m glad you’re back and all right,” she added looking between him and Rosa who was covering her daughter’s face with kisses.
“It’s good to be home,” Dan grinned. “I think a lot has changed in a very short time,” he added.
Rosa looked up smiling across the room at him and Daliah grinned seeing what he meant. “I think so,” she said squeezing his arm lightly then turning to step outside to greet her husband.
“Daliah,” Rosa called before the woman was through the door. “I will bring Daniel to you soon. He has a wound I would like you to see to.”
Daliah raised her brows, her dark eyes turning to Dan accusingly.
“I’m fine,” Dan said his voice tired.
Daliah nodded once then left him to face the Hamptons on his own.
A moment later he, Rosa, Christina, Olive and Orville were seated at a table as hot meals were served and they recounted the tale of their adventure. It seemed like a lifetime ago that he had leapt over the railing of the boat, plunging into the dark waters below without a thought for himself.
“Well it’s about time,” Olive said looking between Dan and Rosa. “I thought you two hated each other.”
Rosa laughed leaning into Dan as Christina giggled with delight.
“Pay up boys,” Orville called to his three sons who had gathered around the table to hear the tale. “I told you I was right, and your ma was wrong on this one.”
Olive looked at Orville shock on her face. “What was I wrong about?”
“You was convinced you needed to find a wife for our Dan here,” the old man laughed. “I was pretty sure she was already in town.”
Olive looked between her husband and the couple on the other side of the table from her and shook her head. All these months she had been sending for mail-order brides hoping the right one would come along for the Mayor of Needful, and all the while, she was living under her own roof. “I thought this was just a fake wedding,” she whispered to Rosa.
“I thought so too,” Rosa admitted with a shrug. “Somehow, it became real.”
Dan stroked his thumb along Rosa’s jaw, his blue eyes full of love as he pecked her on the cheek. “Can we go home now?” he asked.
“No, no you can’t” Olive sprang to her feet as her hands landed on her hips. “You just got back and you can stay right here for the night. Then we’ll get you and Rosa moved tomorrow.” A hint of sorrow tinged her voice as she looked at Rosa, but it was quickly chased away by her smile. “It sure isn’t what I expected,” she said shaking her head, “but I’m happy for the both of you.”
Laughter filled the room as the family let the relief of one of their own returning home sweep over them.
Sometimes life didn’t go the way you planned, but it had a way of working itself out in the long run. Through joy and sorrow, cheer and pain, life moved forward carrying you along like the flow of a mighty river and as long as your bark was held by the Almighty’s hand you were sure to see your way safe to the sea when the time came.
Epilogue
Rosa bustled into the kitchen of the sprawling ranch house. This house was very different than the two story home of her friend Primrose, but she had fallen in love with it. There was a large kitchen, a comfortable, if masculine, living area and four bedrooms. Tying an apron around her waist she settled Christina into her high chair and stoked the fire to life.
A smile flickered across her face as she heard footsteps down the hall and knew that Dan would be there soon. It hadn’t taken long for the Hamptons to move her meager belongings into Dan’s already established house. For the first time in nearly two years Rosa felt content. She was loved, valued, and wanted.
Dan crept up behind her, leaning down and wrapping his arms around her middle. “Good morning little wife,” he said kissing the back of her neck then laughing as little
Christina squealed.
Rosa lifted strips of bacon into a heavy frying pan as she tried to shrug her husband off. “I am trying to cook,” she grumbled hiding her smile by studying the stove. “You will go hungry if you keep doing that.”
Dan laughed kissing her neck again and nuzzling her cheek. “Sooner or later you’ll feed me.”
Rosa laughed as he backed away and lifted two cups from a shelf. “I’ll get the coffee going?”
“I think Cookie already started it,” Rosa said indicating the pot simmering on the back burner. “He is sneaky that one.”
Dan shook his head testing the pot and pouring the dark brew into the tin cups. He had been afraid that Rosa and Cookie were going to kill each other when he had first brought his new family home, but now they seemed to dance around each other keeping a balance in the kitchen and the men fed at the same time.
Placing the cups on the table he lifted Christina from her chair giving her a kiss. “How’s my best girl,” he crooned tickling the little girl with his stubbly cheek.
“I thought I was your best girl,” Rosa said turning and shaking a fork at him as her eyes glowed with delight at how he was with her daughter.
“Who says I can’t have two best girls?” Dan said reaching out and grabbing her wrist as he pulled her to him in a quick twirl. “See two arms, one for each of you,” he laughed dipping his head and kissing Rosa again.
“I’ll burn the bacon if you don’t let me go,” Rosa said soaking in the warmth of his kiss.
“We wouldn’t want that,” Dan gasped releasing her. “If you burn the bacon Cookie will insist on taking over the cooking again.”
Rosa bristled making Dan laugh harder as she returned to her work. Rosa loved cooking and he loved teasing her about letting Cookie take over. The smell of bacon filled the room, joined a moment later by the sizzle of eggs hitting the hot pan. His stomach rumbled, but his heart soared. His whole world had been turned upside down by the beautiful woman cooking his breakfast.
Dan could barely remember what it was like before Rosa and Christina had become his family. He had never thought his life before his wedding was empty, but now he couldn’t imagine how lost he would be without his two best girls.
