Forever His Texas Bride (Bachelors of Battle Creek #3)

by Linda Broday

  “I am. Flower seems very happy to see you. Are you from her tribe?”

  “Her brother. I am John Little Hawk. We got separated after a fire, and I have been looking everywhere for her. I heard news of an orphan train this way. What has happened?” John glanced around at the bedlam.

  “Just settled a dispute over the children, but they’re safe. I assume you’ll take Flower home with you?”

  “Yes. We are all each other has now.”

  John Abercrombie, the mercantile owner, put his arm around Brett’s shoulder. “We’d be pleased to throw you two a big shindig to show our appreciation for standing up for right and justice, even if you did have to do it mostly alone.”

  Rayna smiled and looked up at Brett, clutching his hand. “Maybe later. We have a ranch to put back together, and children to tend until the orphanage gets built. And of course, some quiet time will help heal the pain of what we endured.”

  Her blue-green eyes held a secret message, and Brett couldn’t wait to get her alone, because he had secrets of his own that he yearned to tell.

  *

  Rayna couldn’t wait to find the peace in their private paradise, to lie in the circle of Brett’s strong arms, but so much had to be done. First, though, she insisted he let Doc examine his wounds and treat the horrible burn left by cauterization. She’d almost fainted when she’d seen the blood soaking his shirt and realized how hard he’d fought to save them, despite his immense pain.

  Relief had filled her after Doc Yates removed burnt, dead tissue from the wound and smeared it good with antiseptic, then asked her to put on a fresh bandage.

  Still, the hideous burn left by the heated knife told of Brett’s agony. She couldn’t imagine enduring that. A lump formed in her throat. He’d done it for her. So he could come save her.

  Lazy afternoon clouds drifted overhead by the time Rayna took Brett’s hand and issued a silent invitation.

  Hunger simmered in his dark eyes as his arm slid around her waist, allowing her to lead him to their sanctuary. Her heart burst with so much joy at how things had turned out.

  Her skirts swished against his moccasins. “A thrilling moment happened when Cooper took Raymond Harper into town to stand trial.”

  “When I ran into that canyon and saw you sitting on him, threatening to shoot his head off, I froze. I just knew he’d wrench that gun away from you, so I stood ready to rush forward if he did. But then I saw you had firm control of the situation, and my heart burst with pride. You’re a fighter, darlin’. It’s one of the million and one reasons I fell in love with you.” His hold on her tightened.

  “You gave me strength to fight him. And then when I yearned to kill him so badly I could taste it, I let you have the gun. You’re right. He’s nothing—just a bug to be squashed. I’m free.”

  “You certainly are, although I can’t take any credit. You’re an amazing woman. I noticed that when I first saw you between the bars of that jail cell.”

  They went around the limestone rocks into their place of beauty and light. With the gentle splash of the waterfall behind them, Rayna slid her hand around his neck and leaned into him, pressing her lips to his.

  Brett spoke when they broke for air. “You don’t have to worry about whether or not you have his last name.”

  “But I do. I refuse to be Rayna Harper.”

  “Not gonna have to.” His grin made his dark eyes twinkle. “Because, my darlin’ Rayna, it’ll be Liberty. Rayna Liberty, will you marry me?”

  “Oh, Brett.” Rayna swallowed a happy cry and threw her arms around him. “Are you sure it’s time?”

  “It is. There will always be people against me…us, but we’re accepted by the ones who count, and that’s enough. I won’t be apart another second.”

  “My heart is going to explode. Yes, yes, I’ll be your wife.” Rayna chewed her bottom lip, wondering if it was too soon to ask for another piece of her dream. “Can we adopt one of the orphans?”

  “However many your heart wants. The Wild Horse has plenty of room.”

  “Maybe Joseph. That little boy has pain in his eyes.” She felt like climbing on a horse and riding through Battle Creek, screaming at the top of her lungs that she was marrying Brett. But first they had other pleasurable things to do.

  Yanking his shirt over his head, she ran her hands across his broad chest, avoiding the fresh bandage. With a tug of the leather strip that held back his midnight hair, she buried her hands in the long strands and pressed her lips to his.

  They parted only to remove bothersome clothes. Before long they stood bare, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of their private sanctuary, while little cheeps sounded from the nest beside the waterfall.

  “Your poor body. It’s taken much abuse.” She kissed the wound on his back then pressed her lips gently to the gauze on his chest.

  “I’ll heal,” he rasped. “You suffered just as much.”

  Rayna laughed. “I’ll heal. I’m serious though about not wanting to cause you more pain. Just hold me in your arms for now.”

  “No way, lady.” Passion glittered in Brett’s dark eyes.

  “Are you sure?” Rayna traced the lines of his kissable mouth. “We don’t have to do more.”

  “I have to have you, and that’s that.”

  Next to the banks of the pool of crystal blue water, Rayna lay down and pulled him beside her. “Make love to me, Brett. I need you.”

  He grinned. “Now there’s a request I can’t refuse.”

  His hands moved over her skin like gentle, soothing waves upon a shore, washing away everything except their love that would remain until the end of time.

  Soon his lips replaced those magic fingers and left a trail of kisses over her flesh, hitching her breath and filling her with a prayer that this would last forever.

  Brett nibbled, teased, and flicked his way slowly down her body until every nerve begged for release, and though he kept that cresting wave just out of reach, it only made her hunger for him more.

  Lying next to him, she trailed her fingers across the contours of his lean body that could bring so much pleasure. The depth of her love made her tremble. She loved Brett Liberty with every ounce of her being. He was all she’d ever dreamed of during those dark, scary times when all seemed hopeless.

  He no longer straddled two worlds. He was in the only one that mattered—hers.

  “Thank you, Brett,” she murmured. “Thank you for loving me.”

  In a sudden move, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her on top of him. Staring down into his eyes that spoke of his love for her, she lowered her mouth and tasted his need.

  Finally, raising her head, Rayna trembled with hunger as she ran her tongue across his brown nipples, watching his eyes darken with desire. She liked looking down and seeing all the emotions that crossed his face instead of simply sensing them.

  That each one spoke of his pleasure at being with her made her the happiest woman alive.

  They’d come close to never having this again. Maybe it was that fact that made Rayna feel deeper and love harder. Maybe it was the same for Brett too. Their breathing became ragged and loud as they took pleasure in giving and taking.

  At last he shuddered with longing. Positioning her on him, she took him into her body. Wondrous heat consumed her, sweeping her up in a raging fire that made another second unbearable.

  She sucked in a breath as he captured an aching breast and sent her soaring into the sky.

  With Brett’s uneven breath on her cheek, she found heaven and danced amongst the clouds as he joined her.

  Later, Rayna lay facing him, slowing the beat of her racing heart. She didn’t need diamonds or pearls or some great treasure. Simple things had the deepest value.

  Just strong arms around her, bracing her, and feeling the steady beat of his heart, assuring her that he cherished his Wish Book woman.

  He smoothed back the curls from her face and met her eyes. She saw happiness and pride in his gaze.

  “I
love you, Rayna Liberty,” he murmured against her temple. “I will always wake beside you and hold you when happiness and sorrow come. We’re one, and nothing or no one will ever separate us.”

  Rayna beamed through happy tears. “I love you, my darling Brett. I want to marry here on our beloved Wild Horse. Where the sky meets the earth is the perfect place to vow to forever be your Texas bride. And afterward, we can escape to our sanctuary.”

  A smile teased her lips as she reached for the feather on his hat.

  Epilogue

  Three months later

  “Brett, honey, did you load everything in the wagon?” Rayna slipped her arms around his waist from behind and rested her face on his broad back. His earthy scent that reminded her of this wild Texas land swirled around her. “We don’t want to be late for the dedication. I’m so excited that the orphans will finally have a permanent place to live, where they can run and play to their hearts’ content.”

  He slowly turned in that deliberate way of his. His smile and the love shining in his eyes made her pulse race. He lifted a curl and gave her a kiss.

  “With every single hand in Battle Creek that could hold a hammer, we built the orphanage in record time. I have everything you laid out already in the wagon, along with Joseph, and Adam is waiting to drive us.”

  Brett finally seemed at total peace, his smile coming easily. He knelt in front of her on the rug in their tepee and kissed her belly that was just beginning to round. Rayna cherished the new life growing inside her, the product of their immeasurable love. She couldn’t wait to hold the babe in her arms and touch the tiny face.

  For some reason, she knew it would be a boy—a son who could learn the ways of his father and take over the Wild Horse one day along with Adam. They would shower their babe with love. Never would he know the heartbreak and sorrow they had.

  She ran her fingers through Brett’s long black hair that he hadn’t yet pulled back with a leather strip. Her heart burst with happiness. “I love you, Brett.”

  “I never would’ve guessed.” His eyes twinkled when he rose. “I think you kept the horses awake last night. You’ve gotten very vocal, my wife, when we make love.”

  “Me?” Rayna sputtered. “And whose fault is that, I wonder?”

  He tugged her flush against him and kissed her so long she ran out of air. Finally, she stepped out of his arms.

  “We’ll have to continue this later. At our waterfall. Where the horses won’t hear me.”

  “I can’t wait. Our love does seem to be the noisy kind.” Brett lifted her hand to his mouth. “You’re all I ever wanted. My love for you is eternal and as broad as this Texas sky.”

  *

  It seemed everyone for miles had come to Battle Creek for the dedication and official opening of the Isaac Daffern Orphanage.

  After everyone arrived, Cooper stepped on a raised platform. “Thank you all for coming, and for your hard work in making this a reality.”

  “I’m sending you a bill for my broken thumb,” a man yelled from the crowd.

  “Send it on,” Cooper said amid laughter. “It’ll be the best money I ever spent. I know you’re all wondering about the name we decided on. Without Isaac Daffern, Rand, Brett, and I wouldn’t be here. We’d never have come to Battle Creek or made our home here. Isaac took us in after we escaped a nightmare, and molded us into the men we are today. I know he’s smiling down, proud of what we accomplished. This is a great day for these children, who have lost everyone they loved. They don’t have to worry about being mistreated.” He paused, glaring into the sea of raised faces. “Anyone who lays a hand on them will answer to me, and I can guarantee my punishment will be swift and harsh.”

  “Three cheers for Sheriff Thorne and the Isaac Daffern Orphanage!” someone yelled.

  Cooper waited until the hoopla had died down. “That’s another thing. Two weeks from now, I’ll no longer hold this office. You’ll all get to welcome a new sheriff, and I’ll get to devote my time to ranching.”

  “Who’s the new sheriff?” John Abercrombie, the mercantile owner asked.

  “Someone you all know and respect. He was Sheriff Strayhorn’s deputy, Charlie Winters. He’s moving back to Battle Creek and settling down. Wants to raise a family here. Now everyone get some refreshment and something from the table of goodies the women have brought.” Cooper stepped off the platform to thunderous applause.

  Delta handed him a cup of punch. “You make a good speech, my darling husband. Ever thought about being a politician?”

  “Nope. I don’t want to be anything except your husband and a father to our kids.” Cooper took in her upswept golden hair that left the enticing curve of her neck bare. For two cents he’d scoop her up and carry her to a private place where he could nuzzle that neck and take the pins from her hair. He never tired of making love to her, even after two babies and countless nights in each other’s arms. He glanced at the quilt under the shade of a tree where the twins lay sleeping, watched over by Ben Barclay—who took his job very seriously—and inhaled the breath of a satisfied man.

  Around them, Comanche orphans ran and played with the sons and daughters of Battle Creek’s families. Two colors with no separation between them.

  His attention shifted to Brett’s nephew, Adam, who sat with a pretty young girl, holding her hand. The kid was gone, and in his place stood a man. Cooper saw blossoming love written on his face. He suspected the two would someday tie the knot and start a new chapter in Battle Creek history.

  Mabel King approached and spoke low to Delta about some slight problem. Delta gave her husband a kiss and went to fix whatever had put a fly in the ointment.

  Cooper gulped down his punch and strode to where his brothers stood by the refreshment table. Rand had stuffed his mouth with a pastry of some kind. Cooper grinned. Typical. But he wouldn’t change his brother for all the tea in China.

  “Good speech,” Brett said. “Truer words were never spoken. Glad to hear about the new sheriff.”

  “Yeah,” Rand said. “Who’s he marrying?”

  Cooper’s gaze found her talking to their wives. “Jenny Barclay.”

  “You don’t say!” Rand grinned. “Good for her. She’s earned some happiness after suffering through Hogue Barclay’s beatings. But last I heard she’s already married.”

  “A bounty hunter came through here a month ago with Hogue’s body tied across his horse. Seems Hogue found his spot in hell when the bounty hunter caught up with the outlaw he was after.” Cooper pushed back his hat. “Ben will have a good father in Charlie.”

  With her hand at the crook of Tom Mason’s elbow, Abigail Sinclair sauntered over. “The town has thrown a nice party.”

  Rand wiped crumbs from his mouth and kissed his mother’s cheek. After spending so many years apart and thinking she’d thrown him away, he’d finally made his peace with the woman who’d given him life. It was nice having her close and seeing her happy. “Hello, Mother. Is there a reason you’re smiling so big?”

  Abigail’s eyes met Tom’s. “We’re going to be married in two weeks.”

  “You don’t say!” Rand kissed her cheek again and shook Mason’s hand. “A toast will be in order as soon as I find something to drink.”

  Once all three brothers gave the happy couple best wishes, they dodged excited children and sauntered to the wide porch of the two-story orphanage. They took a seat and propped up their feet, gazing out over the gathering.

  Rand leaned back with a long sigh. “We didn’t do too bad for three ragged boys who pricked our thumbs by the light of the moon and declared ourselves brothers. We each chose beautiful wives who love us and gave us families of our own. I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t fit another bit of happiness inside. Callie told me she’s in the family way two days ago. My first created with our love.”

  Brett grinned. “Must be something in the water. Rayna and I too have happy news. Maybe your child and mine will grow up together.”

  “Congratulations to both
of you.” Cooper shook their hands. “We rode through hell, and at times I wouldn’t have given you a plug nickel for our chances. But we came out the other side. A little bruised and battered, but in one piece.”

  “Problems aren’t over because we whipped some evil men who wanted us dead,” Brett said quietly. “Trouble will come again, because that’s the nature of life. But so will plenty of happy times. Life is like a river—the current ebbs and flows as it goes along its path.”

  Cooper nodded. His eyes followed Delta as she took her new sister, Rayna, under her wing. Callie glowed and happily lent assistance. Though all three women were beautiful, he had eyes only for Delta as they weaved amongst the people of Battle Creek, laughing and talking and having a grand time. She was his world. His beginning and end and everything in between.

  A glance at Rand and Brett found them equally occupied.

  “You know,” Cooper said, “we’ve done real fine and have more good fortune than any man has a right to.”

  Rand’s eyes moved from Callie to his children. Toby and Mariah each held Wren’s hand and were helping her walk. Cooper’s heart swelled out of his chest, the way he knew his brother’s was. Those children had been through so much.

  Brett was quiet for a long while. Finally he spoke. “The influence of our journeys, along with our hopes and our dreams, will carry on in our children and to their children, for generations to come in ways we can’t possibly know. We’re giving them a rich legacy. They’ll do us proud.”

  Cooper swallowed hard, touched by the words.

  “Damn, Brett,” Rand said with a grin. “Rayna must be rubbing off on you. You’re getting downright poetic. And you finally remembered you have a tongue.”

  “Maybe someday you’ll forget yours,” Brett said.

  Cooper laughed. “We can only hope.”

  They jostled together, as playful for a moment as boys: three blood brothers with a shared dream of family, who once boarded an orphan train…and against all odds, finally found a place to belong.

  Read on for a sneak peek from To Love a Texas Ranger, the first book in the brand-new Men of Legend series by Linda Broday