The Half-Breed's Woman

by Cheryl Pierson

  The “click” of a pistol being cocked reverberated through the room. Jax’s spine tingled.

  “If you make one move, I will blast you to hell.” Carlos’s voice was deadly quiet, and steady.

  Jax took a slow breath. His son even sounded like him, his English just a little more clipped because of his accent. But the tone, the words, the determination…

  “Put the pistol down,” Jax murmured in Spanish, “and come give me a hug, son.”

  Carlos swore and uncocked the Colt swiftly, hurrying across the room.

  Jax ignored the curse as he turned and caught the boy to him in a hug, marveling once again at the miracle life had dealt him. His son. He held him away after a moment and looked him over.

  “You take care of things while I was gone?” His voice was rough with emotion. Carlos’s bright eyes shone up into his father’s mirroring gaze.

  “You know I did, Papa.”

  Jax smiled, thinking of how Carlos had gotten the drop on him just minutes earlier. He hugged the boy again, ruffling his black hair. “Sí, m’ijo. I know you did.”

  “See what Mama bought me?” Carlos wriggled and Jax released him, surprised at the boy’s easy use of the word “Mama”. It was a good sign, Jax thought, eyeing the new red flannel union suit his son wore so proudly. It was too big. But, Jax realized with a start, it was probably all that was available in the small mercantile here in Conway.

  “She’s trying to take care of you, isn’t she? I’ll bet it’s nice and warm, huh?”

  “Yes. Very warm. I used to always be cold—” he broke off.

  “Carlos, I’m sorry. I didn’t know—I should’ve done better for you—”

  Carlos reached to hug him again, and Jax slowly raised his arms once more to embrace his son, feeling…unworthy.

  “Lo siento, Carlos. I’m sorry.” His voice was a raw, hoarse whisper.

  “Esta bien, Papa.” Carlos comforted. “I am all right, and see? Now we have each other. Now, we have a family.”

  How do I make up for ten lost years? Jax closed his eyes.

  “I brought you something, son.”

  “You did?” Carlos’s face lit up. “May I—” he bit his lip at his breach of manners.

  Jax grinned. “Close your eyes, and hold out your hands. No lookin’, now.”

  Carlos eagerly did as Jax told him. Jax reached for his gear and slipped one of the four brand new Winchester rifles out, laying it in his son’s arms.

  “All right, m’ijo.”

  “Oh…Papa.” Carlos’s chocolate eyes widened, then tears pooled, threatening to overflow. He looked at the rifle, running his fingers over the walnut wood stock. “Is it—really mine?”

  “It’s really yours.”

  The boy carefully sat down in the darkness, touching first the gun barrel, then the stock. After a few minutes, he whispered, “I have nothing to give you, Papa. Nothing.”

  “Shh.” Jax knelt beside him and put his arm around his slumped shoulders. “I’ve got all the Christmas I need right here, son. Right here.”

  ****

  Later, after he’d tucked Carlos back in his bed, Jax made his way to his and Callie’s bedroom. He slowly pushed the door open and walked towards the bed. The room was cold, and Callie lay under a mountain of quilts and blankets.

  Jax undressed quickly and slid into bed beside her, the sheets as cold as snow against his warm skin.

  He heard the unnerving sound of the pepperbox being uncocked, and smiled in the darkness. In the next instant, Callie’s soft lips were on his, and Jax could feel the urgency in her kiss. She nibbled at his lower lip and he sighed, his contentment almost overriding his pleasure.

  His warm hands trailed a sensuous path across the bare skin of her back, traveling up into the silken weight of her hair, spearing through it as she let her breasts slide across his chest. He groaned, deep and low, and felt her mouth curve into a smile as she kissed him.

  “Are you still in love with me, Callie?” he teased.

  She drew back. “That doesn’t deserve an answer, Jaxson McCall.”

  He laughed, pulling her back to him in a firm grasp. “Oh, no, you don’t, Callie.”

  She couldn’t pretend to be angry for long, her hands roaming over his chest and ribs once more. She kissed him again. “I’ve missed you so much, Jax.”

  “Show me,” he murmured.

  “Believe me, I’ve spent the last few days thinking of ways to do just that.”

  Her lips glided over his bare skin, lower and lower, hungrily tasting his chest, then his stomach. He cursed softly in Spanish, the words like a lover’s caress.

  “Come here, wench,” he commanded with mock ire.

  “Mmm.” She nipped and licked all the way up his side as she obeyed, fanning the flames of their desire, slowly moving to his mouth. “Sounds like I’m in a bit of trouble, marshal. How do I get myself out of hot water with you, anyway, Jaxson?”

  He framed her face with his hands. “Stop torturing me, Callista.” He rolled her underneath him, holding her firmly. “Just love me. That’s all.”

  As he slid slowly, deliciously into her, she closed her eyes. “I do, darling. With everything in me, I do.”

  ****

  They were awakened in the darkness of early morning by a shriek of childish joy, followed by a quick pounding on their bedroom door.

  “Mama! Papa! Come see what the Three Wise Men left for me!”

  Jax rolled over sleepily as Callie made sure they were both covered. Suddenly, the door burst open, and Carlos bounded into the room, his dark eyes wide with excitement.

  “Come see! Come see!”

  Jax sat up abruptly. “Hey!”

  Callie grasped his wrist. “Let us get dressed, Carlos. We’ll be there in a minute. I’m sure it’s something wonderful!”

  “It is! It’s a horse! A real horse of my own.”

  “Vamanos, nino.” Jax rubbed his eyes. “We’ll get up and come see.”

  Jeremy appeared in the doorway. “Carlos, come on. It’s early yet. You should’ve let your mama and papa sleep.”

  Carlos’s face fell and he turned anxiously to look at his father. But Jax only grinned at him. “It’s all right. We need to get up and come see this miraculous gift that the Wise Men left.” He shot Jeremy a look as Carlos vanished down the hallway.

  “Sorry, Jax,” Jeremy murmured, unabashedly. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it back, and—well, couldn’t let your boy go without a visit from the Wise Men.” He shrugged. “He showed me the rifle. I didn’t mean to one-up you.”

  Jax waved a hand dismissively. “You didn’t, Jem. Just saved me some pocket change. That was going to be the next order of business, anyway—buying him a horse.”

  Jeremy pretended to be offended. “Pocket change! I spent a pretty penny on that nag! Oh, well; come see.” He closed the door at Jax’s sudden look of concern.

  ‘Nag’? Jax wanted Carlos to have the best. He’d need it, going as far as they were. Reliable horseflesh would be important.

  “Damn!” He threw the covers off, hardly noticing the icy chill of the room as he reached for his clothes. He didn’t want Carlos getting attached to an animal that wouldn’t withstand the long journey to the north country. He pulled on his jeans, then shrugged into his shirt and began to button it.

  Callie hid a smile as she sat up and reached for her clothes. “I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. Jem seems to truly care for Carlos, and he knows what to look for in horseflesh.”

  Jax ran the leather belt through the loops of his Levis, and buckled it. “Just want to be sure.”

  “Go on, Jax,” Callie laughed. “I’ll be there shortly.”

  He was gone before she finished speaking, his hurried steps echoing down the hallway.

  When Jax flung the front door open, Jeremy turned to look from where he and Carlos stood. The ‘nag’ was a magnificent appaloosa, one that had cost Jeremy a lot more than ‘pocket change’.

  “What do you t
hink, brother?” Jeremy’s eyes were gleaming with laughter. Standing on the porch, Jax wanted to throttle him.

  “See how smart he is, Papa?”

  Jax looked at Carlos, puzzled. “How can you tell, son?”

  Carlos stood gazing up into the horse’s face, enthralled. “I can just tell. His eyes are smart. And he puts his head down when the wind blows, to protect himself. See?”

  Most horses did that. Jax started to tell him so. “Son—”

  “Well, I’ll be darned if he doesn’t,” Jem interrupted. “Did you ever see the like, Jax? That is a smart animal, if I ever saw one.”

  Jax grinned at his brother. “Smarter than I am—forgot my coat.”

  “Here,” Callie said, coming up behind him. He gratefully took his coat from her and pulled it on. Even though the snow had stopped falling, the early morning was bitterly cold.

  “Thanks, Cal.” He reached for her and enfolded her in the warmth of the open front of his own coat, holding it shut across both of them.

  “A couple of months from now, this will be impossible,” she told him in a low voice.

  He chuckled, kissing her ear. “Guess we better get on over to Amarillo and get you some clothes.”

  “I—ran out of money while you were away.” He could hear the catch in her voice. “I never had the chance to get you anything. For Christmas, I mean.”

  “You don’t need to get me anything, Callie. You’re all I need. All I’ll ever want.”

  “Even though we’re all wrong for each other?”

  Jax grimaced at her reminder. He tensed, and Callie half-turned to look up at him, mischief in her eyes.

  Words he’d never forget. Because of what followed. Because she’d told him she was in love with him. Even though she could have gone back east to live the life she was accustomed to, she’d chosen to stay here in this unforgiving land—with him. To live, laugh, love—have babies—all the things he’d thought he’d never find.

  But now, there was one last thing he needed to do—for both of them. He reached around her and took out the sealed pardon from the inside pocket of his coat. “I brought you something, Mrs. McCall. A Christmas gift, of sorts. I couldn’t think of anything you’d rather have.” Except one small piece of jewelry. He smiled as he thought of the gold wedding bands he’d brought back from Fort Smith. But those would wait. This pardon could change everything…

  Callie slipped the seal and unfolded the vellum, reading in the dim morning light. Her eyes filled with tears, and she stepped out of the warmth of Jax’s hold to look up at him.

  “I know I told you once we were all wrong for each other.” He cupped her cheek in his palm. “I also told you that—that you had choices.”

  His heart pounded in his chest, but his face was like chiseled granite, unreadable, his eyes veiled.

  “Jaxson—” Her voice caught.

  “Mama, look at my horse! You never petted him,” Carlos called.

  “I will, son. Just—Just a minute.”

  Jax’s heart nearly burst, and he took a quick breath. Callie’s unconditional love for his boy was more than he had dared to hope for. But she had called him ‘son’ easily, as if she did so every day.

  “Do you—Do you want to be—free?” Callie’s voice was thin.

  Jax’s breath rushed out, and he realized he’d been holding it. He took her in his arms, and wrapped the coat around them both again. “No, sweetheart, that’s not why I did it. I got you that pardon so there’d never be any question. If anything ever comes up, you’ll have proof. After I got it for you, I debated whether to give it to you—or not.” He fingered her hair. “It opens up all kinds of possibilities, Callie. I told you we’d get it set straight. Parker’s dropping all charges and pulling the posters. So, it’s up to you now. Those choices—they’re still there—if you want.” He closed his eyes, inhaling the sun-and-lavender scent of her. “The whole world is out there—for you.”

  Callie lifted her head from his shoulder. She pulled him to her and kissed him long, and hot, and sweet. “Of all my choices, Marshal, I find I like being the half-breed’s woman best of all.”

  A slow smile spread across his face. His lips touched hers, his fingers entwining in her hair. It was what he’d been hoping for, just what he’d needed to hear. The very best Christmas present of all. When he spoke, his voice was tender, full of the love he saw reflected in Callie’s shining eyes.

  “Come on, then, woman. Let’s have an up-close look at this horse. I think the Wise Men may have left something for you, too—in my saddlebag.”

  Callie looked at where Carlos and Jeremy stood, discussing the appaloosa. “My world,” she murmured softly, “is with you, my love. And I wouldn’t take a million dollars for it.”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Cheryl was born in Duncan, OK, and grew up in Seminole, OK. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and holds a B.A. in English. Cheryl lives with her husband in Oklahoma City, OK, where she has been for the past 29 years. She has two grown children, ages 24 and 27, and a Great Pyrenees "granddog", Embry.

  Cheryl's latest novel is a western historical romance, GABRIEL'S LAW. She also contributes to the Wolf Creek western stories, by “Ford Fargo”, and has many short stories available as single sell stories and in anthologies. Her most recent anthologies stories are “Outlaw’s Kiss”, available in the WISHING FOR A COWBOY anthology by Prairie Rose Publications, and “Found Hearts”, available in the HEARTS AND SPURS anthology by PRP. To see all of Cheryl’s work, click here: http://www.cherylpiersonbooks.com

  JASON’S ANGEL by Cheryl Pierson Two wounded Union soldiers will die without proper treatment. Sabrina Patrick realizes they won't get it at the Confederate army hospital where she helps nurse the wounded men. She does the unthinkable and takes them to her home. Jason McCain’s pain is eased by the feel of clean sheets, a soft bed, and a touch that surely must belong to an angel. But what reason could an angel have for bringing him and his brother here? Amazon Link

  ONE MAGIC NIGHT by Cheryl Pierson

  An Independence Day picnic... Will it prove to be more than a simple celebration? At the Independence Day picnic, Katrina Whitworth meets an interesting, but completely unacceptable man. Even though Shay Logan is a doctor, Katrina’s father would never let her see him socially—Dr. Logan is Indian. Mr. Whitworth plans for his daughter to marry Jack Thompson, an acceptable suitor, and upstanding attorney. When Katrina’s father publicly raises his hand to her, the doctor does the unbelievable—he speaks up for her and protects her. Dr. Shay Logan has returned from medical school to set up a practice he hopes will overcome racial problems, as the town badly needs a doctor. He hasn't counted on this young woman working her way into his heart and life so quickly—or the fact that he would be defending her against first her father, and then, the man she planned to marry. Amazon Link

  EVERY GIRL’S DREAM by Cheryl Pierson Forced to leave home, after being shamed, Sheena McTavish is surprised by the kindness of a stranger. Callen Chandler, a U.S. Army scout, is unexpectedly stricken with compassion for the lonely, green-eyed young woman he discovers being sick behind the stage office. After Indians attack the stagecoach carrying Sheena west, an injured Cal and a terrified, but determined, Sheena find themselves thrown together in a struggle for survival. Amazon Link

  TIME PLAINS DRIFTER by Cheryl Pierson Trapped in Indian Territory in 1895 by a quirk of nature, high school teacher Jenni Dalton must find a way to get her seven students back to the 21st Century. Handsome U.S. Marshal Rafe d'Angelico seems like the answer to her prayers: he is, after all, an Angel. In a race against time and evil, Rafe has one chance to save Jenni's life and her soul from the Dark One – but can their love survive? Amazon Link

  CLAIMING HIS HEART by Tanya Hanson Charmlee and Tull each have plans of their own. He's set on raising quick money to save his brother's life, a secret he isn't going to share. She's determined to leave the valley to find a new life for herself and medical treatment for her own brother. Trust
ing comes hard for them both, but Charmlee realizes it's the only way to stake her claim on what's really important. Amazon Link

  WISHING FOR A COWBOY a holiday western romance anthology. Cowboys, kisses and love in the holiday air make for a special recipe in each of these wonderful new stories. Christmas miracles can happen when you're WISHING FOR A COWBOY! An exciting mix of professional award winning western writers and some terrific new talent can be found in this book. As an extra bonus there are Christmas recipes. Amazon Link

  INTO THE LAND OF SHADOWS by Kristy McCaffrey

  Kate Kinsella has to go after Charley Barstow and talk some sense into him. After all, he’s skipped town, leaving a pregnant fiancée. Ethan Barstow is hot on his younger brother’s trail, too. All hell breaks loose when they discover Charley. Can Ethan and Kate ever find love and happiness with one another through the dark deception and hurt? Or will they both return INTO THE LAND OF SHADOWS… Amazon Link

  How do you capture a cowboy's heart? HEARTS AND SPURS is a collection of nine stories by some of western romance’s best—just in time for Valentine's Day! Following up their Christmas collection WISHING FOR A COWBOY, these ladies have done it again with new stories of handsome cowboys and the women who captivate them. Features 9 sensual Valentine's Day love stories of the old west. Amazon Link

  ACROSS THE SWEET GRASS HILLS by Gail L Jenner Liza Ralston has had more adventure in her life than she ever wanted. Red Eagle has tried to help Liza and her father, but Liza has a mind of her own. Will Red Eagle and Liza find the love they’ve been waiting for? Beauty, treachery and danger lie ACROSS THE SWEET GRASS HILLS. Amazon Link