Big Sky Love

by Cate Dean

  “You look so beautiful, Miss Kate. Even if it’s for the wrong man.”

  “I don’t have a choice, Sally.”

  “You should have told Mr. Charlie the truth—” She cut herself off, and placed the wreath on Kate’s head. The yellow daisies and long white ribbons stood out against her red hair, left her feeling even less like herself. “Sorry, Miss Kate. I know you’re doing what you need.”

  “I wish—” She shook her head, not able to finish the sentence.

  I wish I’d told Charlie I love him.

  It was too late now.

  CHARLES SHOULD HAVE kept going.

  He knew he should have been far away from here by the time the sun rose over Starwood. Instead, he sat at a corner table in the saloon farthest from the church, and tried to drink himself into oblivion.

  It was not working.

  He knew the moment Kate arrived, and it was not because the pendant heated against his skin. He could sense her, a caress on his skin, a weight on his heart.

  Nothing could have stopped him from walking to the swinging doors of the saloon, watch her ride past, sitting tall and lovely on a wagon. The yellow daisies she wore in a crown had him comparing her to a fae, that glorious, wild red hair floating around her.

  His heart pounded as he watched the wagon stop in front of the church. Both hands curled into fists when Evan stepped forward and lifted her, lingering at her narrow waist long after he settled her to the ground.

  Charles didn’t realize he had started growling until the men standing beside him backed away.

  “Bloody hell.”

  He pushed through the doors and stalked down the boardwalk, headed for the church.

  Kate loved him; he knew it, to the depths of his soul.

  He was not going to give her up without a fight.

  PA HAD REFUSED to be part of what he called the biggest mistake of her life, so Mike walked Kate down the aisle in the small church.

  Evan stood at the front, his eyes scanning her, like she was a prize horse. How she wanted to run out of the church, ride until she found Charles, and hope it wasn’t too late—

  Stop torturing yourself.

  Her future stood next to Father Bright, practically rubbing his hands.

  Mike stopped out of punching range, and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”

  “Thank you for everything, Mike.”

  She stepped to Evan’s side, ignoring his outstretched hand. He glared at her, but let it go, lowering his arm as he faced Father Bright.

  “We’re ready, Father.”

  The poor minister blinked, his glance darting from Evan to Kate. “If you’re sure about this, my dear—”

  “She’s sure.” Evan slid his arm around her waist and jerked her against him. “Let’s get this started, Father.”

  “Of course.” He cleared his throat, and opened his prayer book. “We are gathered here to join this couple in holy matrimony. If there is anyone who objects to their union, speak now,” he paused, and Kate lowered her head at the silence that filled the church. Father Bright sighed, then continued. “Or forever hold your—”

  “I do.” The deep, familiar voice spun her. Charles stalked down the aisle, his blue eyes narrowed. “I object to the man he is. I object to what he has done to get a fine woman to the altar against her better judgement.”

  Evan sputtered, his face turning red. “How dare you—”

  “I dare, you bastard, because she deserves better.”

  “You—you’re supposed to be—”

  “Gone? I changed my mind.”

  Charles swung his left arm up and punched Evan in the nose.

  Blood spurted, staining the front of Evan’s pristine shirt. He clutched his nose and stared at Charles, who ignored him, turning to face Kate. Her heart pounded so hard she could barely breathe.

  “You may not want me in your life, Kate Maguire, but I will be damned before I allow you to throw it away on this bastard.”

  She covered her mouth, afraid she was going to start laughing. Evan looked furious.

  “I won’t stand here and be insulted.” With his nose probably broken, he sounded like he had cotton stuffed up his nostrils. “How dare you—”

  “I am not the one holding the threat of her father’s death over her head.” The few people in the church gasped. Kate stared at Charles—she shouldn’t be surprised that he knew, but for him to accuse Evan in public, in the middle of her wedding—

  Heavens, she loved him.

  “I—she—” Evan backed away.

  Charles grabbed the front of his bloody shirt and hauled him forward. “Come near her again, and the fatality will be yours.” He let Evan go and turned to Kate. “You are free to walk away, sweet. The secret is out, and he will not trouble you again.”

  He cupped her chin with his left hand, and kissed her with such tenderness tears stung her eyes.

  Then he let her go and walked away.

  “No,” she whispered. She felt like she’d finally yanked herself out of a nightmare.

  Evan’s fingers dug into her arm when she started to go after him.

  “You’re marrying me—”

  “Let her go.” Mike appeared, Sally next to him. They both looked like they were ready to take Evan apart. “Try and stop her again, and I’ll bring Sheriff Langley in here to discuss your death threat.”

  Kate didn’t hear Evan’s garbled response. She was too busy running after Charles.

  “CHARLIE!”

  He halted, turning to find Kate on the steps of the church. One moment she stood there, then next she was in his embrace, her body trembling.

  “Kate.” He pressed his face into her wild hair. It smelled of flowers and sunshine.

  “I thought you left,” she whispered. “I thought you were gone.”

  “I tried, sweet. I only got as far as Starwood before my feet refused to take another step.” He sank to the ground and pulled her into his lap. “Tell me you are not marrying that pompous ass.”

  “I’ll tell you that, if you do one thing.” She whispered against his lips, her breath warm, her body wrapped around him.

  “Anything, sweet.”

  “Tell me how you feel.”

  Charles closed his eyes. “I cannot.”

  He felt Kate stiffen, and eased his grip on her, giving her the freedom to pull away.

  “Why not?”

  Charles knew his next words would set her off. “You must be the one to say it first.”

  “You insufferable, egotistical ass!” She climbed off his lap, not careful about where her knees landed. He did what he could to protect himself without touching her. “I give you the chance to tell me that you love me, and you say no?”

  “I did not say no.” He ran his left hand through his hair, not certain how to explain without the pendant attacking him again. Or Kate. “I said that I cannot. I physically cannot say the words, unless you speak them first.” Invisible fingers tightened around his throat, a not-so-subtle warning.

  “You really believe this—curse.”

  “How can you deny what you witnessed, Kate?”

  She flinched at his quiet voice. “I’m not denying—oh, hell, Charlie. Why couldn’t this be easy?”

  “It is, my sweet Kate.” Charles stood, picking up his belongings, safely tucked in one of the handy bandanas. Why he thought they might go back with him to the cavern was another foolish fancy. “I fear that we both have too much pride. I wish you well, and thank you for giving me a place when I needed one.”

  He walked out of the churchyard and headed for the main street.

  “Charlie!” Her shout halted him, and once again, hope reached up through the despair. She ran at him full tilt and launched herself at his chest. He caught her with his left arm, holding her as she cried. No matter how long he lived, he would never completely understand women. “The man—” She sniffled, and pressed her face to his throat. “The man is supposed to say it first.”
<
br />   He wanted to laugh, but he did not dare. “And I would, Kate, were it possible for me.”

  She lifted her head, searching his face. “Are you trying to say, without saying, that you love me?”

  God help him, this woman was going to be the death of him. With a silent prayer that it wouldn’t unleash the pendant’s wrath, he nodded.

  Kate kissed him, tangling her fingers in his hair. When she came up for breath, she met his eyes.

  “You stubborn, beautiful man. I love you—I love you so much I can’t stand it.”

  Heat burst from the pendant.

  Charles freed her and stumbled backward, not wanting her to be hurt by the damned thing.

  “No—” He shoved the single word through gritted teeth when she reached for him.

  Then pain exploded in his chest and he lost control of everything.

  “CHARLIE? PLEASE, CHARLIE—open your eyes.”

  Kate’s panicked voice penetrated the gradually retreating pain. It took the last of his strength, but Charles managed to do as she bid. She bent over him, her hand on his chest.

  “Kate—” His throat punished him for speaking, and he coughed, setting off a chain reaction. She rubbed his chest, murmured to him, helped him ride through the pain. When he had the breath to speak again, he did so carefully, whispering to her. “You said it.”

  “I wasn’t going to get it out of you any other way.” She studied his face, her eyes wide. “Your pendant—it moved on its own.”

  He inched his hand up, confirming what he already knew, by the absence of the once constant weight. “You saw.”

  She swallowed. “It slipped over your head, then it—um, disappeared.”

  He fought a smile. “Did it?”

  “Don’t you laugh at me, Charles de Witt. I’ll deny it if anyone ever asked, even in a court of law, but yes. It disappeared, with a flash of heat so strong I thought it was going to burn you.”

  His amusement died. “You were not harmed—”

  “I’m fine, Charlie.” She frowned, staring at the air between them, as if she was reliving what she had witnessed. “It was like there was some kind of shield between me and the pendant. I could feel the heat, but not feel it. If that makes any sense.”

  “It does, Kate.”

  She sighed, relief on her face. “Thank God. I am never talking about it again.” Her pointed glance told him that he was not to talk about it again, either. He was fine with that.

  “You are not angry that I stormed in on your ceremony.”

  “I’ve never been so happy to be interrupted in my life.” She smiled, cradling his cheek. “I’m sure Evan feels differently about your appearance.”

  On cue, Evan walked out of the church. Or rather, he was guided out of the church, one hand over his nose. Charles had a feeling his blow had fractured it; his hand certainly ached as if he had applied enough force to do so.

  Evan stumbled to a halt, glaring at Kate. “You—” He yelped in pain, then whimpered, gingerly cupping his nose.

  His foreman guided him past, and to Charles’ surprise, flashed a smile at Kate. She covered her mouth, smothering laughter that would have no doubt set Evan off, and waved at him.

  “Larry’s a good man. He’ll keep Evan from any kind of destructive retaliation. That,” she leaned in, “and the fact that I’ll be married by the time he gets back to his ranch.”

  Charles blinked up at her. “Now?” His voice cracked over the word.

  “Now or never, British.” She had a gleam in her eye when she said it, but Charles did not doubt for a moment that she was deadly serious. “Meet me inside. I have to stop Father Bright before he sits down to his afternoon drinks.”

  Charles watched her run across the dirt yard in front of the church and up the steps, her pale yellow gown hiked up past her ankles. The crinoline rustling around her legs made him smile; it was so foreign to the Kate he had come to know. He much preferred her in a shirt and trousers, striding toward him with purpose, mischief on her freckled, beautiful face.

  As his friends would state, he had gone over the edge.

  He would not want to fall with anyone else.

  Eighteen

  SERENA HAD NO warning this time.

  The pendant shot out of nowhere, like it had been catapulted, and smacked the wall just over her head.

  Aiden yanked her forward before the pendant dropped, his arm securely around her waist.

  “Seems another has passed his test.” His voice rumbled through her.

  “Thank you.” She eased away from his inviting chest. With a grin, he let her go. She made her way to the pendant, moving slowly, her legs still shaky. Unlike last time, the necklace sat, intact, the emerald winking in the light that shimmered off the walls. “I think it’s early. That’s why it hasn’t disintegrated yet.”

  Robert crouched next to the pile of silver, and poked at it with one finger. The chain shifted, but nothing else happened. “I suppose it will do its disappearing act once the deadline is up. Lucky bastard—he won his freedom early.”

  The other men muttered, moving closer to the pendant. Serena let them stare at it, and made her way to the wall on the other side of the ledge. When she reached it, she leaned her forehead against the cool stone, fighting the desire to sink to the ground.

  “Serena?” Aiden’s voice snapped her head up. “What ails ye, love?”

  “Nothing.” She forced herself to stand straight. “I was just startled by the pendant—”

  “It’s a lousy liar ye are.” Aiden stepped closer, his hand closing over her elbow. “Yer ill, and I’ve a strong feeling these bloody damn pendants have all to do with it.”

  “I’m fine. I just...” Her voice faded when she saw the men surrounding her, different levels of concern on each face. “What?”

  “We never get sick here,” Ben said. “We never get tired.”

  She stared at him for an endless minute—then her knees gave out, betraying her.

  Aiden picked her up like she weighed nothing and settled her on a ledge at the far side of the cavern. As far away from the pendants as he could get her.

  “It’s costing ye.” He brushed a blonde curl off her cheek. “Helping us like this. The spell to set us free is taking payment.”

  “Looks like it,” she whispered. “I’ll be fine. I just need to rest.” Her finger brushed the emerald of the pendant she wore. It was cold. “I don’t think I can do anything until Charles’ time is done.”

  Kit shifted, his crutch scraping the stone floor. “How do you know, Serena?”

  “I feel—blocked is the only way I can describe it. Stop looking at me like I’m going to burst into flame at any second.” Aiden grinned, and a couple of the other men chuckled. “I’m feeling better already.”

  That was true; the shaking weakness that had smacked her began to ease, and she sat on her own, even though Aiden paced her every inch.

  “You will be able to help the rest of us?” Robert voiced the question she knew they all must be thinking.

  She met each intent gaze, then spoke. “I made a promise, and I intend to keep it.” Never mind that keeping it was the only way she could go home. “It looks like we have a break before the next pendant chooses.” She smiled at the collective groan. They knew what she was going to ask.

  “We’ve heard these stories so many times, we could be reciting them in our sleep,” Aiden said, crossing his arms. “If we were able to sleep.”

  “I haven’t, and I want to get to know all of you better, before I lose you to the women who will save you.” She bit back a smile when Aiden rolled his eyes. “So—who’s next?”

  THE PENDANT ROSE in the middle of Robert’s demonstration of architectural stability. Serena swore more than one of them looked relieved.

  Her own pendant warmed against her skin. She took it out, ready this time for what happened next.

  The necklace shot up, spinning as it moved to the center of the cavern, Serena held the chain of her pendant, and wat
ched the emerald flare, just before Charles’ pendant exploded in a shower of green and silver, disappearing before it touched any of the retreating men.

  Pain drove through her, and she blacked out before she hit the floor.

  When she opened her eyes, Aiden was bent over her, the fear in his brilliant blue eyes shaking her to her core.

  “We can wait a bit, love. Give ye time to gather yer strength.”

  “I don’t think the pendant’s going to let me. I feel like I have to keep going, or suffer more.”

  Aiden helped her up, and each man touched her, stayed with her as she made her way to the ledge holding the pendants.

  “Okay,” she whispered. Their presence made her feel stronger. She lifted her head. “Let’s see who’s next.”

  THANK YOU FOR READING Charles’ story! Modern Love, Book 3 of Redemption of the Seven, is coming your way soon.

  If you enjoyed Big Sky Love, I would love it if you took a moment and left a review. They are so important, and help other readers discover the books they want to read. Thank you!

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  Big Sky Love

  Redemption of the Seven Book 2

  Cate Dean

  Copyright, 2016

  All Rights Reserved.

  NO PART OF THIS BOOK may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission of the author, except for use in any review. This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, locales, and events are either pure invention or used fictitiously, and all incidents come from the author’s imagination alone.

  Cover design by ResplendentMedia.com.

  About The Author