by Linda Warren
“Then, why did you push me away? That hurt so much.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “It’s hard to explain, but when I found out about Mona and Anette, I felt a terrible guilt. It was eating me alive and I didn’t want to drag you into my agony. I wanted you to have a normal life, away from the insanity that plagued me.”
She kissed the corner of his mustache. “I have no life without you.”
“I finally realized that, too. About myself, I mean. After everything that happened, I didn’t think I deserved one, but now I do—a life with you.”
That was exactly what she needed to hear. Her world suddenly righted itself. Except for one thing…
“Say you love me and forgive me,” he whispered.
“I love you and I forgive you,” she answered, and for the next few seconds there was only blissful silence as their lips met. She didn’t want this to end, but she had to tell him. “We have to talk,” she said in a hoarse voice.
He shook his head. “No talking or thinking. I just want to love you.”
She wanted that, too, and it was tempting to wait and tell him later. But they couldn’t start their life that way. She had to be honest.
“We have to talk,” she repeated in a stronger voice.
Her voice got his attention, and he drew his lips away. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She didn’t know how to tell him, so she said the first thing that came into her mind. “You haven’t mentioned marriage.”
He seemed to relax. “I assumed we would. Isn’t that what you want?”
“Yes, but it would be nice to be asked.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said and stood up. “I’ll be right back.”
Startled, she asked, “Where are you going?” But he was already out the door. She didn’t know what to think, but he’d said he’d be back. So she waited.
In a minute, he was back. He laid a box of chocolates and a dozen long-stemmed white roses in her lap. Then he got down on one knee and took her hand. “Rebecca Talbert, will you marry me?”
She pushed the candy and roses aside and made a dive for him. “Yes, yes, yes,” she said as they kissed long and deep, then she asked, “Where did you get the candy and roses?”
“I brought them as a peace offering.”
“Very wise.”
They kissed again and Cord settled back on the floor, against the sofa, with her on his lap.
“You sure you don’t want to rethink that decision? I come as a package deal—Nicki and the rest of my crazy family.”
“And one more,” she said softly, leading up to what she had to tell him.
“One more what?” His tongue found the sensitive area behind her ear.
“One more child.” She tried to keep her senses clear, but that was hard to do with Cord’s breath on her skin.
“Child? What child?” he asked in a hazy voice.
She swallowed. “Our child.”
“We don’t have a child.”
“In about seven months we will.”
The room suddenly became very quiet, and she rushed on. “Now, Cord, don’t freak out on me and please don’t go all silent. Let me reach you.”
“You’re pregnant?” His voice came out low and shaky. “How did this happen?”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Want me to give you a biology lesson?”
“No, I mean…are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“But this is too soon for you.”
“I’m ready for a baby—your baby.”
“Oh, Becca.” He cradled her head in both hands. “I love you so much.”
“Then, you’re okay with this.”
“I’m so happy I could walk on water. A new life. A new beginning. That’s what I need—with you and our family.”
They kissed slowly, then held each other close. “I love you, Cordell Prescott,” she said, and for several heavenly moments not another word was spoken.
Slowly she reached for the chocolates. “Do we eat these chocolates and make love, or make love and then eat the chocolates?”
He took the box out of her hands and smiled. Soon the whole world faded, leaving just the two of them in a private universe of their own making. Shadows of the past might appear from time to time, but their love, strong and lasting, would now have the power to chase them away.
EPILOGUE
Two years later
BECCA PUT THE FINISHING touches to the table. The flowers, candelabra, china and linen were perfect—just the way she wanted it. It was Thanksgiving and both families, Cord’s and hers, were coming. It was the beginning of a new Prescott tradition, and she enjoyed preparing the house and getting a meal ready. She paused for a moment, thinking back, and gave thanks for everything in her life.
She had married Cord a month after that August night, in a small chapel with family and friends. She’d worn her mother’s wedding dress, even though it was tight around the waist. Her parents reacted exactly the way she’d known they would to the pregnancy—lovingly and supportively. Rose was another matter. Even though she’d tried to hide it, she wasn’t pleased, but she adored her great-grandson. The day she had Cordell Jackson Prescott was one of the happiest of Becca’s life. Nicki was infatuated with her little brother; Becca and Cord wanted Nicki to be comfortable with him, and she was. It helped, too, that she was the big sister.
Becca had a hard time adjusting her work schedule. She’d spent so many years becoming a doctor and she loved it, but she loved her family more. So she compromised. She worked full-time until C.J., as they called their son, was born. Now she worked four half days, and was on call one weekend a month, to assist Dr. Arnold. Sometimes it turned out to be more than that, and Cord was understanding. He didn’t want her to give up her work. And it helped that he was always close to home.
They had renovated the second floor. They’d ripped out walls and made a new master suite and nursery. Becca now felt as if she was a part of this history in the house. She, Blanche and Edie had hung portraits of all the Prescott women in the upstairs hall. Cord smilingly approved of their efforts.
Colton and Ginger had eloped a year ago and spent a lengthy honeymoon in Europe. She and Ginger were now sisters-in-law. That seemed so natural, given how long they’d been friends.
Della came in wearing a flowered dress and white apron. “What do you think?” Becca asked, surveying her handiwork.
“Just beautiful.” Della sighed. “Everything’s so different around here. It’s a pleasure to come to work these days.”
Becca put an arm around her waist. “And it’s a pleasure to have your help. Maybe one of these days I’ll learn to be as good a cook as you.”
“Mommy, Mommy,” Nicki called.
On their wedding day Nicki had asked, “Are you my mommy now?” Becca had replied, “Yes.” From then on, Nicki had called her Mommy. Anette had receded in her memory. Anette’s portrait—painted from a photograph—hung upstairs, and they put flowers on her grave during holidays, but she knew Nicki had very little recollection of her. In a way that was good, but Becca didn’t want her to completely forget her real mother. The things she’d saved from Anette’s room were in a sealed box in her closet. At the appropriate time, she and Cord would give them to Nicki.
Nicki burst into the room, her blond curls everywhere. “Daddy can’t do my hair right, Mommy. I want you to fix it. I want to wear these, and Daddy doesn’t know how they work.” She held out the hair clips Blanche had sent her from Paris.
Blanche and Edie were now traveling together. Two women who had spent years hating each other had become traveling companions. They still argued from time to time, but their arguments were trivial, almost as though the habit was too deeply ingrained to stop. Forgiveness had come slowly to the Prescott family, but in the end it had arrived.
Clay had finally flown home and he, Cord, Colton and Edie had sat down with Blanche to work out the details of the will. There were no recriminations against Blanche. Her so
ns did their best to understand her motives. Then Edie shocked everyone by saying she was satisfied with a trust fund. She was too old to run a ranch and it really belonged to Cord. It was enough that Pa had remembered her. So Cord gave up his trust fund, which was divided among Edie, Colton and Clay, and he took full possession of the ranch. Everyone seemed happy with that arrangement, and all the boys were finally getting to know their mother. Blanche had changed so completely that the hard, crude person Becca had first met was nonexistent. Once Blanche had learned that she didn’t have to own everything for the family to care about her, she realized what a fool she’d been and what a treasure she had in her sons. Edie was just tired of the long battle and gave in gracefully. After spending two weeks in Europe, the two women had traveled to Alaska to see Clay, Nina and the girls. They were all flying home for Thanksgiving.
Becca combed Nicki’s hair and secured the clips. “How’s that?”
Nicki looked in the mirror over the buffet. “Just like I wanted,” she said, studying herself.
Nicki was starting to take an interest in her appearance. Poor Cord. He wasn’t ready for this—and neither was she.
Apparently satisfied with her hair, Nicki turned to Becca. “When are Blanche and Edie coming home?”
“Colton and Ginger are picking everyone up at the airport, so they should be here in about an hour.”
“I’m glad ’cause I miss them.”
“Me, too, sweetie.”
Secretly she knew that Blanche and Edie traveled—at least in part—to give them time as a family. She’d told them they didn’t have to do that, but they didn’t listen to her, and Becca loved them all the more. She’d been raised as an only child and she wanted to belong to a big family. Now she did, and she couldn’t be happier.
“Scotty and me can go riding after dinner, can’t we, Mommy?”
“Yes, but remember your cousins from Alaska will be here, too, so you have to include them.” Nicki and Scotty were “buddies,” as Nicki put it. Becca had worried about the two being jealous of each other. At first they were, but that soon ended. Nicki was taken with Scotty’s computer skills, and Scotty was amazed at Nicki’s riding and roping ability. They were always eager to show the other new things.
“Okay,” Nicki agreed.
Childish screeches could be heard a moment before C.J. flew into the room without a stitch of clothing except for his cowboy boots. He threw himself at Becca’s legs and peeked around her to his father standing in the doorway.
At the sight of Cord, Becca’s heart fluttered with excitement. It was the same every time she saw her handsome cowboy. He hadn’t changed a bit in two years, except that the sadness in his brown eyes had been replaced by a joy that was echoed in hers.
With a smile, Becca ruffled the blond curls on her son’s head. “Cord, our son doesn’t have any clothes on.”
He walked farther into the room, laughter filling his eyes. “While I was working on Nicki’s hair, he took his pajamas off and put on his boots. Before I could think of a way to get his pants over his boots, he darted out the door. I’m gonna have to bring my rope to the house so I can lasso him. Might be the only way I can keep up with the boy.”
As Cord drew closer, C.J. screeched again and ran into the den.
“God Almighty, boy, you’re naked as a jaybird.” They could hear Gus, and Becca groaned.
“I’ll get him,” Nicki said.
Cord kissed the top of Nicki’s head. “Thanks, baby.”
Cord stared after her as she chased C.J. “She’s only seven and I’m afraid to blink. If I do, she’ll be all grown-up.”
Becca wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. “Oh, I think we have a while yet.”
“Yeah,” he murmured. “When I remember what it was like a couple of years ago, I get cold chills.”
“That’s all behind us.”
He turned in the circle of her arms. “Your parents call you angel and you really are.” He bent his head and softly kissed her as she leaned in to him.
“You’re gonna get so lucky tonight,” she murmured wickedly.
“I get lucky every night,” he teased. “I have to be the luckiest guy on the planet.” And he was. The situation with Anette and Mona had almost destroyed him, but Becca’s love had saved him. Every day when he woke up with Becca in his arms, he knew he was truly blessed.
She watched his face. “You’re in a good mood.”
“I guess I am,” he admitted. “I never thought we’d have family occasions in this house. Now the whole Prescott family and yours will be here. I’m very grateful for that. And Clay’s thinking about moving back to Texas. It would be wonderful if we were all together again.”
“Yes, it would,” she said. “It would give our kids a chance to grow up with their cousins.”
“I think Blanche has a lot to do with their decision.”
“Probably, and since Nina’s parents have passed away, they want their girls to be around family. Clay’s girls think Blanche is cool.”
He caressed her face. “I think you’re cool. And beautiful, brilliant, loving and…”
She kissed the vee in his shirt and traveled upward.
“Oh,” he moaned. “When you do that I get completely sidetracked and—” Just as his head dipped toward her, they heard more screeching and laughter from the den. Nicki was still chasing C.J. trying to catch him.
Cord gave her a quick kiss. “I’d better corral our children.”
“Cord, why can’t we make C.J. understand that he has to wear clothes?” she asked woefully. C.J. didn’t like clothes. He preferred to run around in nothing but his boots.
“Beats me. I never had this problem with Nicki.”
“I don’t know where he gets it from,” she said. “I was always very discreet as a child.” She poked him in his ribs. “He probably gets it from you.”
“Uh, I don’t think so. I don’t remember preferring the buff.”
She looked into his eyes. “Why is it I can handle other children, but not my own?”
He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “He’s not even two years old. Give it time. He won’t be doing this in a few years. Isn’t that what you’d tell a worried parent?”
“Yes.” She sighed, knowing he was right. It wasn’t anything to worry about. “One of us had better get him dressed before company arrives.” As the words left her mouth, the doorbell rang.
They could hear C.J. running in his boots to the door.
“Oh, no,” Becca muttered.
“Relax,” Cord said. “Everyone’s seen him without his clothes on.” Then he took her into his arms and kissed her deeply. Her arms crept around his neck as she returned the kiss. As always, they were in their own world.
“I love you,” he whispered against her lips. “Just wanted you to know that before the craziness of this day starts.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered back. “You’ve made me so happy. I’m glad I waited for you.”
“Me, too. I never thought it was possible to be this happy,” he replied. “You’ve changed my whole life—not to mention my whole family.”
She smiled into his eyes. “I never dreamed I’d fall in love with a cowboy.”
He settled his hands around her waist. “How’s the experience so far?”
“Exciting, stimulating, fulfilling, passionate—and you’d better keep it that way.”
“I promise, for the rest of our lives.” He sealed that vow with a searing kiss. “Now we’d better go rescue whoever’s at the door from our naked son.”
Arm in arm, they strolled to the front door. Becca had finally found the passionate love she’d been looking for. Like Emily, she would love one man—forever.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8191-6
COWBOY AT THE CROSSROADS
Copyright © 2002 by Linda Warren.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, m
echanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
Visit us at www.eHarlequin.com
