He halted, his golden gaze sweeping her face. “Was that what you were thinking?”
“I love you so much,” she said, tears swimming in her eyes.
“When did you come to that conclusion?”
“The day we were married.”
He held her tightly to him, unable to say a word. Louis came up to them, but Frank drew him away and nodded toward the porch at the dead man.
“He won’t be bothering the little missus anymore,” Frank stated, kneeling beside Brace’s body. “The boss shot him clean through.”
“You knew he would,” Louis observed. “This man was as good as dead the moment he threatened Mrs. Renault.”
“He should never have gone for the boss’s woman. His days were numbered when he did that.” Frank stood. “We’ll have to get Mr. Renault’s horse back to the stable. Then I’ll go into town and report what happened here.”
Louis nodded. “Tell them that justice has been done today.”
In the buggy, Jonathan sat between his mother and father, his little body shaking. Wade’s strong hand came down on his head. “I was proud of you today, son. You did a brave thing.”
Jonathan’s eyes were bright as he looked at his mother. “I wasn’t brave—I was scared.”
She smiled at him. “You were Hawkeye.”
The child looked pleased. “I was, wasn’t I?”
Caroline touched Wade’s cheek. “You saved our lives.”
“Non,” he said, his accent growing thick. “If I had protected you both better, this would not have happened.”
“Do not be hard on yourself. Brace would have found a way to get to me sooner or later.”
She saw a flash of anger in his eyes and she knew what he was going to say.
“You should not have gone to the swamp.”
She nodded at Jonathan. “I had to.”
Chapter Thirty-one
When they reached the house, Mary was waiting for them on the veranda; she rushed forward with a worried frown.
“Saints preserve us all, you are safe!”
“Yes, we are,” Caroline said, sinking deeper into Wade’s supporting arms.
Mary caught Jonathan’s hand and brought him into the light so she could see him better. Brushing his hair aside, she saw a bruise on his cheek. “You have been hurt, lad.”
“Not so much.” He grinned up at her. “I’m a hero.”
Mary glanced at Caroline in astonishment. “What happened?”
“We will talk about it later,” Wade told her. “I want to get Caroline upstairs.”
Caroline’s legs felt so weak, she could hardly stand. “Mary, Jonathan may have other bruises or even cuts. I want him to have a warm bath and to be put right to bed.” She looked up at Wade. “Do you think we should send for the doctor?”
“Yes, I do. Mary, have one of the men fetch Dr. Davis immediately. Although Jonathan has not complained of pain, I want to make sure nothing is broken. He took quite a tumble. I want a warm bath for Caroline, and she will have her meal on a tray. Make a big pot of tea.”
“Will someone tell me now what happened? I have been worried sick,” the housekeeper demanded.
“Let me get Caroline settled; then I’ll come downstairs and tell you everything.”
“I can tell you,” Jonathan spoke up, his eyes shining.
Wade led Caroline toward the stairs, and she smiled listening to Jonathan’s version of what had happened.
When they reached the landing, she looked around at everything that was dear and familiar; the tall case clock chimed the hour, and she sighed. “I never thought I would see home again. I was planning to shoot Brace, but I am not sure I could have pulled the trigger.”
“What does that matter now?” Wade swallowed hard and pulled her against him. “Caroline.” It took him a moment to speak. “I thought I had lost you today.”
She brushed the hair off his forehead. “I am not so easy to lose.”
The house was quiet as Caroline moved down the hallway toward Jonathan’s room. The authorities had arrived at the house earlier and Wade had gone downstairs to explain what had happened at the swamp cabin. They’d already heard most of what had occurred from Louis and Frank.
The shock of facing Brace hadn’t hit her yet, but she knew it would. It was difficult for her to understand that he was dead and she no longer had to fear him.
Her thoughts turned to Michael. He had been avenged and could now rest in peace. She would have to make a trip to Charleston very soon—a mountain of details needed her attention there.
She wanted to ask Wade’s advice on whether she should sell her father’s land. Of course, there was nothing left on the land but the charred remains of what was once a beautiful house. Her life was here now, and she wanted to cut all ties with Charleston.
She paused at Jonathan’s bedroom door. So many thoughts swirled in her head—of things she wanted to do: She wanted to put flowers on her father’s grave, and she wanted to have Michael’s body moved to the consecrated ground of his family crypt. She wanted everyone to know that Michael had not taken his own life, but had been murdered by Brace.
She thought of Lilly. The poor woman had no one to look after her. Caroline was determined to see that Lilly had everything she needed. Of course, Michael’s father had provided her a home, but Caroline wanted more than that for her. Lilly had been lonely and friendless—she deserved so much better than she ever had.
Jonathan’s door was open a crack and she pushed it wider. He was asleep. She approached him on tiptoes and stooped to press a kiss on his cheek. He turned over and snuggled down into the soft mattress, but did not awaken.
“My little hero,” she whispered. “Sleep well.”
Wade was in bed when she returned. He looked tired, although he would never admit to such a weakness. It must have been difficult for him to witness Brace’s cruelty firsthand. It would have been even more difficult for him to watch Brace making his threats, knowing he might not be able to stop him. He would have no regrets about shooting Brace. He had been a man protecting his family.
She slipped into bed beside him, and he took her into his arms.
“Are you all right?”
“I am now.”
“I am still angry with you for facing Brace alone. You should have waited for me.”
“I couldn’t. Brace would have killed Jonathan if I had not gone to him.” She slipped closer to him. “Don’t be mad at me.”
He touched his lips to her brow. “I could never stay mad at you.”
She grinned. “I’ll remind you of that in the years to come.”
He watched her closely. “Did you mean it today when you said you loved me?”
“With all my heart. I never knew love could be like this.”
He was quiet for a moment, and when he spoke, his accent was heavy. “Neither did I, Caroline. I did not even know what love was until I met you.”
She touched her lips to his shoulder. “You love me?” She already knew he did, but it would be nice to hear him say the words.
“How could you ask? You are my heart and soul, mon amour.”
“I think of that day when you rode into town and how terrified I was of you. If I had known how I was going to feel about you, I would have jumped over everyone to get to you.”
He laughed and shook his head. “I cannot see you doing that.”
She frowned, her mind going back to the scene that had played out with Brace. “I was afraid for Jonathan today. He is so young to have witnessed such evil.”
“He saw bad things when he was abandoned on the streets of New Orleans.”
“When I think of him living on the streets at such a young age, it makes me sad.” She pressed her cheek to his. “And then I think of you living the same way when you were a boy. I cannot bear to think of either one of you being cold and hungry.”
“That was a long time ago for me, and Jonathan has all but forgotten about it.”
She rose up on her elb
ow. “An idea has been forming in my mind this evening. I wonder what you will think of it.”
He tangled his hand in her hair. “What is it?”
“Do you need money, Wade?”
“What?”
“Do you need money?” she repeated. “If you do, I have plenty.”
“Non, I do not want your money—I have more than we will ever need. But where are you going with this, Caroline?”
“Michael had a great fortune. But I do not feel that any part of it should belong to me. Will you mind if I do something with it?”
“I prefer that you live on what I provide for you. Do what you want to with Michael’s money.”
“Would it bother you if I used most of his money to build a home for boys who have nowhere to live?”
He frowned. “Is that what you really want to do?”
She laid her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “I believe every young boy should have a chance in life. I don’t want to think of any of them being cold and hungry. I want them to know there is a place they can go where they will be welcome, where they can find sanctuary.”
He closed his eyes, thinking he had just caught a glimpse of her soul. “That is a beautiful thought.”
“Will you help me?”
He slid his arms around her. “I will see what can be done.”
“Wade, I want to make you as happy as you make me.”
He tugged at her gown. “I can think of a way.”
She laughed and wriggled out of her gown, easing her body next to his. “If that is all it takes, I will always make you happy.”
As he fitted her against his body, his hand sweeping down her back, she could tell there was something on his mind. She looked at him questioningly. “Is something the matter?”
He trapped her face between his hands. “Do you forgive me for what I put you through?”
She was speechless for a moment. She’d had no idea that his guilt was still bothering him. “Of course I do.” She touched her lips to his. “My darling husband, how can your conscience bother you over a deed that brought us together?”
She felt the tenseness leave him. “You do not know how many nights I lost sleep worrying about what I did to you.”
She pretended seriousness. “I release you from any guilt. It is a wife’s duty to make all things right for her husband.”
He kissed her deeply and long, and when he raised his head there was a gleam in his eyes. “Duty, mon amour? I will make you pay for that.”
She was captivated by the look in his eyes. “How will you do that?”
His hand swept across her stomach and his mouth shaped itself to hers.
Nothing more needed to be said.
Epilogue
Caroline removed her bonnet and tossed it on a chair. It was spring in New Orleans, and the dogwoods were finally in bloom. She had snipped off several small branches and was now arranging them in a tall crystal vase, thinking about the letter she had received from Nelly—she, Yance, and the children would be coming for a visit after spring roundup.
Caroline felt a fluttering in her stomach as the baby she was carrying quickened inside her for the first time. She slid her hand over her slightly rounded stomach, impatient for the birth of the baby that was due in early September.
Because of the baby, she had had to postpone her trip to South Carolina. But Nate had gone in her place, and he was a man who could make things happen. She was learning why Wade valued him so much.
She jumped back, startled, when something furry rubbed against her ankle. Staring down at the floor, she cried, “Archimedes!”
She scooped the cat into her arms, so glad to see him again. “How did you get here?” She ran her fingers through his soft fur and rested her cheek against him. “I have missed you so, you lazy cat.”
The tabby purred and settled in her arms, as if to say he forgave her for leaving him behind in Texas. She turned around at the sound of familiar bootsteps coming down the stairs.
“Wade.” Her heart was in her eyes as she watched him walk toward her. “How did you get Archimedes here?”
He came up beside her and ran his hand over the cat’s fur. “I own a private railroad car,” he reminded her. “And I could not leave my partner in crime behind in Texas.”
It did Wade’s heart good to see Caroline happy. Her joy and goodness had spread throughout this dwelling like a warm wind, healing everything in its path and making the house a real home. He looked into her beautiful face and noticed, not for the first time, that she was blooming with health.
His hand went down to her rounded stomach where his child was nestled. She had brought light to all the dark corners of his life, and she now carried his baby. Sometimes he was so filled with thankfulness that he could not speak of it—like now—so he spoke of other matters. “I have some papers for you to sign. Come into my office, mon amour.”
When he touched his lips to the back of her neck, she smiled at him, assuming the papers had something to do with her father’s estate. With her hand clasped in his, they went into his study, where he led her to his desk and pushed a document in front of her.
“What have you here?” she inquired.
“Read it for yourself.”
She placed the cat on the floor and picked up the document, quickly scanning it. “It says here that—” She looked at him puzzled. “I do not know what this is. What does it mean?”
“It means that you will soon be the proud mother of twenty-seven young boys. And no doubt before the year is out there will be even more.”
“An orphanage for young boys?”
“Oui, mon amour. As the paper states, ‘The Caroline Renault Home For boys.’ As my gift to you, I will also be building one in Baton Rouge.”
He had taken her at her word when she had told him that she wanted Michael’s money to go toward building a home for the many homeless boys who roamed the streets of New Orleans. She had not expected the deed to be accomplished so soon, and she had not expected him to go one step further and build a second home in Baton Rouge. She should have known that he would move heaven and earth to please her.
“And you also arranged it so Lilly will have plenty of funds to live on for the rest of her life?”
“I sent Nate to Charleston to tend to the matter. He writes that he hired a competent woman to stay with Mrs. Duncan as her companion, and a housekeeper and cook as well. Nate assures me that she is doing quite well, and that she sends you her gratitude.”
Her eyes were shimmering when she looked at him. “Thank you for helping me. I believe Michael would have approved of what I have done with his money.”
There was no jealousy in his heart for the man who had once been Caroline’s husband. He was secure in her love for him. Michael had been only a boy when he died, and no ghosts of his presence lingered in their lives. Wade slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. “It is more than a pleasure to do anything that will make you smile.”
She stared down at the paper where she had just affixed her signature. “Will the school serve nourishing meals, have good teachers and comfortable beds?”
He smiled at her. “I have purchased the land, and the architect only awaits your approval of his sketches before we break ground. You can personally choose the teachers and the cooks if you want to. It is entirely your project.”
She threw herself into his arms while he laughed delightedly. She closed her eyes, basking in the joy that burst through her. She could see the warmth shining in her husband’s golden gaze, and she felt love so strong it surrounded her like a fortress.
The baby chose that moment to move inside her, and Wade looked at her, startled.
“Did you feel that?” he asked, his eyes widening in amazement. “What just happened?”
“It’s the baby trying to get your attention.”
He had been happy about the baby, but until that moment it had not seemed entirely real. A feeling of fierce pride hit
him hard, and he placed both hands on her stomach. If it was a son, Jonathan would have a younger brother. If it was a daughter—that thought rocked him even harder—a daughter with Caroline’s sweetness. “You have brought me peace, Caroline.” He wondered if she knew just how much that peace meant to him. “I thank God for the day you came into my life.”
She raised her brow and pursed her lips. “I didn’t come into your life, Wade. You found me.”
“How did I get so lucky?”
She pressed her head against his shoulder. “I’m not sure about you, but as for me, I took a page out of Jonathan’s book and wished upon the moon and the stars.”
The Moon and the Stars Page 27
