The Mail Order Bride's Secret

by Linda Broday

  “Granted. But how about one great big juicy secret? I can see it in your beautiful eyes.” He dropped the lock of hair. “We’ll talk once about our pasts, then never speak of them again. It doesn’t help to rehash what’s over and done.”

  She took a step back. “You’re right on all counts. I haven’t been entirely honest.”

  Ah, here it came. Finally.

  They sat down, and Melanie wet her lips. “I’m not a dressmaker like I told you. I’m a gambler, like my father and sister. We travel across the West, living in dingy hotels, making a living in smoky saloons. We’ve worn out our welcome more than once. I’m sorry I kept that from you.”

  Silence stretched while Tait mulled over her confession. While he didn’t know the father’s exact role in all this, Tait suspected Papa Dunbar had taught his girls the trade.

  “I can see why you made up the story. We all want to appear better than we really are. What about your mother?” he asked.

  “Died in childbirth having me and my sister Ava. We’re twins.”

  “Interesting. You’ll be a lot of help in figuring out Joe and Jesse. I’m sure you and your sister played a lot of tricks.”

  “We still do.”

  The smile that formed on Melanie’s face told Tait there’d been at least one recent trick. He gave a silent groan. Another set of twins—just what he needed. Thank goodness Ava Dunbar wasn’t in town.

  Finally, Tait sat up straighter and steepled his hands in front of him. “I’m glad to know something about the real you at least. There’s nothing shameful in doing what you must to survive. Everyone in this town is doing the same. You wanted better and got yourself free of that life. I dream of better as well and hope that one day I’ll find absolution for my crimes.” He swung around. “This gives us a common goal.”

  “Yes, we can help each other. This is the biggest gamble of my life.”

  “Mine too.” She had no idea exactly how big. Thoughts of Lucy and all he’d lost swam in Tait’s head before he forced himself back to Melanie. “Living that lifestyle, I’m sure you developed vices. I thought I caught a whiff of whiskey on your breath before. I assume you have a fondness for it.”

  “I do.”

  “I struggle with the same fondness, but haven’t touched a drop since the kids arrived. I want to set a good example. What you do behind closed doors is your business, but I have to ask you to not drink in front of them. These children have lost everyone and everything they know and were thrust at a stranger for care.” Another thought hit him, but he checked to see where the shoes were before he spoke. “Sorry for my bluntness, but I assume you’ve lost your innocence, having led the life you have.”

  Melanie winced. “I was going to confess last night, but you never came to bed. Disappointed?”

  “Relieved actually.” The graceful curve of her neck and dainty ears drew Tait’s attention. How he’d enjoy trailing kisses along that skin. “I wasn’t looking forward to introducing a virgin to the pleasures of the marriage bed. I’ve heard horror stories.”

  “Glad I could spare you that.” She laid her hand over his. “We do need to discuss something else.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’ve been lucky to have escaped having children thus far, but I know it’s only a matter of time. Do you want children of your own?”

  Her question hit him hard. Pain pierced his chest. “No. A man like me lives from one day to the next, not thinking about the long term. Longevity doesn’t exist for most outlaws. The odds are stacked against us from the minute we pick up a gun. From then on it’s only a matter of time before our choices catch up with us. Sorry, I can’t bring more children into my world.”

  For a moment, he thought she’d burst into tears. It seemed a strange reaction given how much she’d said she didn’t want children herself, but maybe she was thinking about being left a widow with Joe, Jesse, and Becky to raise by herself. Although a beauty like her would have suitors flocking to her door.

  “Tell me what led you to become an outlaw,” she asked softly.

  “Injustice. I saw too many folks suffering and dying at the hands of men who were supposed to be protecting them. I never was good at turning a blind eye.” He flashed a crooked grin. “Jack and I once stood up against a gang of cutthroats that had taken over a town. We didn’t care about the overwhelming odds, didn’t even consider the cost. Especially once the evil bastards started lining up men, women, and children in the town square and shooting them.”

  He paused then told her about the corrupt railroad company that had stolen his mother’s farm. “The government gives the companies free land on either side of the tracks. The officials of the Missouri River Railroad sold that clear land to other settlers and pocketed quite a hefty profit. They’re swindlers. That’s why I started robbing trains—to take back what they’d stolen.”

  The other, much more personal, part to that story would remain buried, too gut-wrenching to ever be spoken aloud.

  “All the railroad money—what happened to that? Did you give it away?”

  Tait frowned. Why the interest in that money specifically?

  “Some has gone to help this town—to keep the mercantile replenished, pay the teacher’s salary, buy books, hymnals—whatever’s been needed. At least it’s doing some good here and not just lining the pockets of crooked businessmen and politicians.”

  “But you haven’t used all of your ill-gotten gain?” Her shuttered eyes kept her thoughts hidden from him, but she leaned forward slightly as though hanging on his words.

  “Some money I won’t touch. It’s too filthy. So yes, I still have most of it.”

  Melanie glanced down and smoothed the folds of her gown. “I once happened to be on a train you robbed. I watched you.”

  She’d said the statement like commenting on a pretty day. The impact stunned him. “When?”

  “Six months ago or thereabouts, I believe.”

  Tait frowned, searching his memory for anyone of her description. If he’d seen her, he’d remember. Melanie was an unforgettable woman.

  “It’s okay to not recall it. I sometimes rode the trains and interested gentlemen in card games. You were a little busy, but I thought you were a most arresting man. Quite handsome actually. Dangerous.”

  He shook that thought aside for now, stood, and offered his hand. “We still have a while before we pick up the children. I could show you the town.”

  “I have a better idea.” She let him pull her up and laid a palm on his chest. “You still owe me for last night.”

  “There is that, I suppose.” His gaze dropped to her luscious mouth.

  “I expect to be fully and properly cherished. I hope you’re up to it, cowboy, having gone without sleep and all.”

  “Count on it, Mellie.” Tait pulled her into the circle of his arms and kissed the tender flesh behind her ear.

  Thick, dark lashes lay feathered on her cheeks. Eyes closed, she clutched him, apparently sharing his hunger to be touched, to feel something again, to matter to someone. Love wasn’t involved in this. This was lust, plain and simple, the satisfaction of their bodies’ cravings.

  For one moment, he yearned to find purpose in the daily struggle for survival.

  Tait slid his mouth to hers and gave her a tongue-thrusting kiss while his hands moved slowly downward, skimming the sides of her body. He explored the soft lines of her back, waist, and hips, letting his hands rest on her firm behind.

  Her breath seemed to hitch in anticipation, matching the taste of yearning on her tongue. She slid an arm around his neck and clutched a handful of hair, her breasts tight against his chest.

  Thank God for a passionate woman not afraid to show it!

  “Tait!” Someone pounded on the door. “Tait, open up!”

  He tensed and grabbed his pistol.

  “Who is it?” she ask
ed.

  “Don’t know, but sounds like trouble. No one hammers on a door like that when it’s not important.” He hurried to let in whoever it was.

  “Tait, we have a problem!”

  He yanked the door open to find Jack and the twins in the hall. “What’s wrong?”

  Jack stared at the footwear and glass laying everywhere and pushed past him followed by the boys. “Becky tumbled down the stairs this morning. She’s over at Dr. Mary’s office.”

  Jesse looked up. “We don’t know if anything’s broken or nothing. It wasn’t our fault.”

  “Who said it was?” Tait raked his fingers through his hair. “No one’s blaming you. Why don’t you and Joe stay here with your Aunt Melanie and I’ll see to Becky?” He glanced at his bride and her kissable lips, wishing he could’ve seen where their making up might have gone. She handed him his hat. His half smile held regret. “Sorry. Why don’t you and the boys go to breakfast? Put it on my tab. I’ll give you some spending money later.”

  “Don’t worry about that now. Go! I hope she’s not too hurt.”

  So did he, but sometimes the situation was out of anyone’s hands. Lucy’s and Claire’s fates had proven that.

  Seven

  His thoughts in turmoil, Tait crossed the short distance between the hotel and Dr. Mary’s clinic.

  Jack stuck to him like an irritating thorn, matching his stride. “Anything you want to tell me?”

  “Nope.”

  “Did it rain shoes outside your room last night?”

  “Rather not talk about it.” Tait opened the door to the small, two-bed hospital and stepped inside. He removed his hat and held it in his hands. Becky looked so small lying in a bed with the doctor bending over her. “How is she, Doc?”

  Dr. Mary straightened her petite frame. “Nothing broken. The fall knocked the wind out of her, which scared everyone. I think she’ll be fine.”

  Becky looked up at him, frowning. “Me fall.”

  “How do you feel, honey? Are you hurting?”

  The three-year-old shook her head and reached for him. “Go.”

  “We will just as soon as the doctor finishes. Just lie there for a little bit longer.”

  “Eat.”

  Tait laughed, relieved that she felt hungry. “We will. Wait a minute.” He turned to Dr. Mary. “What do you think?”

  Sunlight through the door glinted off the necklace of bullet fragments around Dr. Mary’s neck. Jack had once told him that she’d made it from slugs pulled from patients. “Becky seems fine, but any concussion worries. Watch her closely for a couple of days, and if she’s sleepier than usual or starts having pain, I’ll look at her again.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.” Tait put his hat on, picked Becky up, and bid the doc a good day. He noticed Melanie and the boys almost to the Blue Goose’s door.

  They spied him, and Melanie waited while the boys raced on ahead to the café.

  “How is she?” Melanie asked.

  “Hungry. Doc says she should be fine.” Tait put an arm around Melanie, wondering why he was so relieved she hadn’t caught the first stagecoach out of town after all.

  “Mellie.” Becky reached for Melanie.

  “Hey, sweet girl. I’m glad you’re all right.” Melanie kissed the girl’s cheek and hugged her close, almost as a mother would do. Maybe she was warming to the kids.

  “Me fall.”

  Despite what she’d said about not knowing anything about kids, Melanie seemed to have some kind of maternal instinct about her. The tender way she held the girl, one hand smoothing back Becky’s wild curls, spoke of her capacity for deep affection.

  Becky laid her head on Melanie’s shoulder. “Eat.”

  Tait laughed. “I think she’s starving. It was the first thing she said to me. Not hello or I’m better. Just eat.”

  Their first official breakfast as a family went pretty well overall. Joe and Jesse picked on each other and rattled on and on about Sawyer Gray and the traps he built to catch small animals.

  “I’m going to make me one when we get finished,” Jesse announced, licking syrup off his fingers.

  “What will you do with the animals after you catch them?” Tait asked Jesse. Or at least he thought he had the right boy this time. The safety pin was missing from his collar. But more than questions about his ability to tell the twins apart, he was concerned about the reason for the traps. What were they doing? “We don’t kill for fun, boys. If that’s it, you can forget it.”

  Anger crossed Jesse’s eyes. “I wasn’t gonna kill ’em! I don’t ever want to be like you.”

  Before Tait could process the outburst, his nephew jumped out of his chair so fast it tipped over and raced out the door. “Jesse, wait!”

  His brother gave Tait a hard stare. “We were gonna train ’em. Joe and me don’t like watching things die. And I’m Jesse. You cain’t even get our names straight!” He ran out to join his twin.

  Tait glanced at Melanie. “I messed that up. He’s right though. Not that they’ve made it easy—I can’t tell them apart at all.”

  “I’ll help you.”

  “Do you know which is which?”

  “Of course. I noticed right off that Jesse has a freckle by his ear.”

  “A freckle. By his ear.”

  “His left ear.”

  “How did you even see that?”

  “Because I was looking for something one had that the other didn’t. It really upsets a person to be called the wrong name, especially twins. My sister Ava and I went through something similar. Our father still doesn’t know us apart. I wanted to get it right for the boys.”

  Tait realized that in all the chaos he hadn’t really sat down and looked at them. He sighed. “I have to go find them and try to fix things. I shouldn’t have lectured them about the traps before I knew what they had in mind. Hell and be damned!”

  “Don’t beat yourself up. I think it must be hard stepping into a father role. Be patient with them—and yourself. It’s just as difficult for them.” Her voice was gentle and soft, not at all like it had been earlier when she was lobbing shoes and ashtrays at him.

  “How did you get so smart?” he asked.

  “I was a child once.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you in a bit. I think me and Miss Becky are going to take a nap. You see, I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  A shaft of sunlight through the window fired the red in her hair, and her dimples peeked out, the combination stealing his breath. Her turquoise eyes held a teasing glint, and Tait grinned like he’d been handed a big pile of gold nuggets.

  Becky patted his arm. “My Mellie.”

  “Hey, I’m not arguing, honey.” He kissed the girl’s forehead. “I’ll see you back at the hotel, Mellie.”

  Her knowing smile sent memories of their interrupted interlude tumbling end over end.

  Skin like silk.

  Curves that made him weep.

  Lips that could drive every sane thought from a man’s mind.

  They hadn’t even been married a full day yet, and her body had already taken up residence in his thoughts.

  Tait stepped from the café and adjusted his hat on his head, glancing around for the boys. He didn’t know which direction they might’ve gone. Definitely away from people.

  He stopped Ridge Steele, who’d been a preacher before he’d taken to the outlaw trail. Now he served as the town mayor. No one knew what had made him lose the way. Some things were best left private, and Tait respected that.

  “Steele, have you seen the boys?”

  A person rarely saw Ridge without his dark frock coat and twin Colts swinging from his hips. His angular jawline, quick smile, and an understanding gaze made him easy to confide in. A few streaks of gray marked his dark stubble, an indication he hadn’t shaved in a few days.

  Ri
dge motioned with his head. “They were hoofing it toward the valley. Trouble?”

  “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  “Good luck, then.”

  Tait took long strides straight east, thinking about what he was going to say to them. No matter what he came up with, he couldn’t bring back their parents.

  Soon he was at the mouth of the valley, tall cornstalks and wheat waving as far as he could see. If the twins had gone in there, he’d never find them. They could hide until the second coming of Christ. But to get back to town, they’d have to come his way.

  He sat down, picked up a piece of wood, and started whittling. He didn’t realize what he was making until it began to take shape under his knife—a train. The thing he hated most in the world next to churches. Hell!

  Cussing a blue streak, he put the knife away and rested back against a spindly tree, his gaze sweeping over the rustling green field.

  His father’s fury sounded in his head. You’re nothing but trouble, Tait. You’re going to spend eternity in the fiery pits of hell if you don’t stop your rebellious ways. You’re my biggest disappointment, and you’ll be my downfall yet. Leave and never come back. We don’t want you.

  From the time Tait was ten on, he’d often been on the receiving end of verbal and physical whippings. The harder the Reverend Thomas Trinity had tried to beat the devil out of his son, the more vehemently Tait had vowed to leave. He’d finally done so the day he’d turned fourteen.

  Now Jesse’s angry words came back to him. I don’t ever want to be like you.

  Tait winced and swallowed. It was a blessing the kid didn’t hold him in high esteem. He didn’t want anyone to take after him, driven by revenge.

  Just then he caught furtive movement, two figures weaving through the cornstalks. Tait maneuvered around and got into position where he’d be in front of them when they headed out.

  He stood there, legs planted wide. Both boys jerked back in surprise when they saw him. “We’re going to talk. Or I’m going to talk and you’ll listen. Whichever you want.”

  “You can’t force us to do either,” Joe spat.