by Cheri Chaise
And I was already dealing with enough in convincing Abby to remain quiet after learning from Alan the truth about what went on around Carston Ranch.
Bret and Evan showing up after the dust settled from all the shooting solidified everything for my sister that Alan had revealed – before he got a tomahawk cleaved through his skull. While Evan had checked the pileup of bodies, Bret had swept me up in his arms and showered me with kisses that left no doubt as to the extent of our relationship.
But it was the sweet strains of Meghan running across the field into Bret’s arms with a cry of “Papa” that clinched the reality that Abby could no longer deny – and that I knew she’d long suspected.
After being assured of my safety and that of the children, Bret had gotten busy with Seth, stabilizing the wound until he was able to get him back to the house to surgically remove the bullet lodged in his shoulder.
The brave hadn’t been so lucky. The bullet Alan fired caught the Indian in the neck and tore through a vital artery. He’d bled out shortly after Evan rolled him from Alan’s body – but not before handing over a string of silver and agate beads.
Beads intended as a gift for Abby.
My sister had at first refused to wear them. It wasn’t until Bret returned from the reservation and explained that to do so dishonored the brave’s memory and the sacrifice he’d made to rescue her. The strand of beads had graced her neck ever since.
Bret and Drew came out of Drew’s workshop with the last item to be loaded. The cold weather that had moved in had allowed us to preserve Alan’s body for transport back east to rest in the Westford family plot. Edna carried the letter that explained everything that had transpired.
Or at least what we were able to surmise.
The yearling stolen from our stables was found tethered in the trees not too far from where Alan had come out to grab Abby. Evan was able to follow the hoof prints in the soft creek bed back to the family hunting cabin, where the rest of our stolen goods had ended up.
By all appearances, the decaying carcass looked as if the horse Alan had arrived with had suffered a broken leg, possibly from a thrown shoe, Bret pointed out to Cole. Bereft of a mount, he’d stolen our colt with the intention of shoeing it himself, something the Alan I’d known never had a chance of accomplishing.
The terribly burned hand suffered from simply trying to work the forge, had grown thick with the puss of infection. Thus he’d cleaned out all the medicines he could grab when he took the unshod horse.
The questions I couldn’t answer had to be left to his family to determine the answers to, for only they’d know the true reasons why Alan felt his only option for marriage was to travel thousands of miles for a woman who didn’t want him, instead of choosing any number from Baltimore’s society.
Unless society had finally awakened to the truth of his character as I had all those years ago.
“We’ll be home just as soon as we can,” Cole said after swinging up into Buck’s saddle. “I just hope we can figure out where to put all of Abby’s trunks.”
“She can store ‘em out at our place,” Sean called as he trotted up from the stables on his mount, dragging the other along for his brother. “Once we get a place built, that is.”
“If the land is still available,” Cole reminded them.
“It’ll still be available,” Seth said, leaning over to kiss Abby’s gloved knuckles and offering her a wink. “I have faith.”
A blush rose to Abby’s cheeks as she pulled her hand away and tugged her shawl tighter, standing out along the periphery of our little family gathering. Seth grimaced as he gingerly climbed up into his saddle.
“You take care of that shoulder,” Bret called to Seth, dusting his hands off after helping Drew affix the coffin in the wagon bed. “And see that you both stay warm at night.”
“We will.” Sean tipped his hat. “Thanks again for everything…cousin.”
This time, instead of mockery in his tone, there was true kinship behind the word.
Edna reached out a gloved hand as Bret walked by. “You keep up with that doctorin’ now, you hear?”
Bret pushed his hat back and grinned as he grasped the outstretched hand. “Yes ma’am.”
“There’s lots’a folks out here depending on ye.”
They shared a weighty and silent look between them before Bret dipped his head to graze the woman’s knuckles. Like the gentleman he was.
Then with a snap of the reins and a yip, the troop set off across the frozen ground. Tears filled my eyes as Edna turned to wave one last time as they headed down the hill and curved east into the rising sun, taking with her the last reminders of death’s bitterness. Just as death had brought about this painful visit, so death returned to free us from its tainted grasp.
Abby strode forward and waved frantically, a sob on her lips before she turned away to head into the house, scooting the children in ahead of her. But whether her tears were for Edna or the twins, I couldn’t be certain.
She and Seth had grown closer in the weeks of his convalescence, spending almost as much time as Bret did seeing to the new patient. But Sean did his best to earn her concern, milking his recovery simply to earn a bit of her time at his bedside too.
All of her attention for the twins kept Abby busy. Probably for the best for now. I missed having someone beside me in the kitchen, but I understood that this new perspective would take some adjustment. Someday she’d learn to accept that one woman could love more than one man.
Or at least I hoped.
Much like the dog, that ventured into the yard more and more. But even though she’d come to Abby’s rescue, the animal still shied away when anyone but Bret tried to get too close.
My dear dusky husband always did have a way with animals.
Bret’s warmth came up from behind as he encircled my waist with his arms and splayed his hands across my showing belly. “I think your sister has bewitched yet another brave.”
I turned in his arms to trace my fingers through his long strands, his cold lips warming as I kissed him.
“Bret Carston, you better not be falling under my sister’s spell.”
“Hmm.” His nose traced slowly over mine before he bent to take my lips more deeply, touching his tongue to mine as I opened to him. “The only woman who has bewitched me is you, Estella Carston. You…and this damn fine mouth.”
I smiled then leaned again into his kiss, tugging his hat from his head to allow the brisk breeze to tumble his dark hair and entangle it with mine. Just like our bodies entwined with love. Like our seed knit together the child growing in my womb.
To never again let us part.
One from another on Carston Ranch.
THE END
But the Carston family saga continues…
Other Works by Cheri
Big Sky Brothers, reverse harem Wild West romance
Captivating Cole
Big Sky Babies – an in-between novella
Bewitching Bret
Delighting Drew (coming 2020)
Enticing Evan (coming 2020)
And watch for more in-between novellas
Space Courtesans Saga, space opera romance
Courtesans in Space
Courtesans and Lovers
Courtesans Go Undercover
Courtesans and Pirates (coming 2020)
Courtesans at the Galactic Games (coming 2020)
And more!
The Call of Darkness, a paranormal sci-fi reverse harem series
Darkness Calls (coming 2020)
Darkness Walls
Darkness Falls
Sucky Succubus, hot and humorous novellas
Sucky Succubus (2020)
Sucks to be a Succubus (2020)
And many more to come!
Want More?
If you enjoyed this novel and would like information on new releases, special sale pricing, and personal messages from your new, favorite steamy romance author, be sure and add your name to Cheri’s MA
ILING LIST. From sultry space opera to the wilds of the 1800s American West, you’re sure to discover something new to stir your blood and tempt your emotions to ravishing new heights.
About the Author
Cheri Chaise writes seductive and sensual romance novels set in a galaxy far, far away or the wild, Wild West of early America. A previous career in finance and a love of history allowed her to travel across the country to gain direct knowledge of many of the settings in which her novels take place, though she’s still waiting for a return call from NASA.
Cheri calls Florida home for now, but she continues to pine for the cooler temperatures and rugged terrain of northern climes that she once called home. But as long as her beloved husband is by her side, anywhere they are together feels like home.
She loves to hear from happy readers!
Feel free to contact Cheri through Email follow her on Facebook Amazon or BookBub.
