Cal’s disappeared completely. “Choice C, Mr. Purl. You can wait until hell freezes over, but you will not lay a finger on my wife…or my child.”
“Your child? Your wife?”
“Exactly, jackass. You’re invited to leave.”
Purl’s light brows drew together, a scowl twisting his face. “You bastard! I’ll have my men tear you apart!” The two men started forward.
Cal’s gun barked twice and both of them fell to the floor, writhing in pain. Purl took a step, unthinking, before he stopped himself, glaring at Cal.
“Get out, Purl, while you still can.” Cal’s voice was even and steady, as if he’d commented on the weather.
“I’ll be back,” Purl gritted, turning for the door.
“Take your trash with you.”
The two men were getting to their feet unsteadily, one holding his upper arm, the other cradling his wrist. Neither of them met Cal’s eyes. They trailed behind their employer, their heads lowered.
Purl never glanced back. Once they were safely outside, he turned and raised his fist. “We aren’t finished, yet!”
Livvie slammed the door firmly in his face, locking it.
“Are you all right?” she asked, as she looked at Cal.
Cal nodded, but Sheena could see the grim lines in his face, the tense set of his shoulders. No, he was not ‘all right.’ But he’d never admit to it.
Unable to stop herself, Sheena reached to touch his face. The grooves at his mouth turned into a slow, apologetic grin. “Sorry, honey. It was all I could think of. Hope you won’t mind being married –at least for long enough to get rid of your problem boy out there.”
Sheena shook her head. “You don’t have to do this.” And why should he? He’d already done more for her than her own family had. He’d come for her when the stage had been attacked—saved her. But, it had started even before that. He had come for her when she’d been sick, heaving up her insides so embarrassingly as she did every morning. Her father had left her like unwanted rubbish at the side of the road. But Callen Chandler had come to see about her, a total stranger. And he’d told her if she needed anything to contact him.
Tears started in her eyes as she thought of it. No one else had ever cared for her—until he came into her life. And she had to admit, she didn’t want him to leave her. When had she begun to depend on him? Looking back, she had to admit that her thoughts had been filled with him as she’d ridden on the stage. After their meeting that morning behind the telegraph office, she’d tried his name on her tongue a thousand times, seen his dark, concerned gaze holding hers every time she’d closed her eyelids to rest.
He put a hand under her chin as she faltered, looking down to hide her tears.
“I know I don’t have to, Sheena,” he murmured softly. She met his eyes as he lifted her chin. “I want to.” He was silent a moment before he said, “And…I’m hoping you want it as much as I do.”
In his voice, she heard the carefully hidden traces of vulnerability. He’d been hurt before, too. And even though he may not love her, he was offering to care for her and her baby. Her heart leapt at the thought, then pounded unsteadily. He’d claimed her. He’d claimed her child. An ache set itself up inside her chest where her heart had been clamoring. It was too wonderful to be true. But oh, how she wished it could be! The thought of a man who cared for her and her baby was almost too sweet to bear.
Disappointment entered his dark eyes at her silence. He didn’t understand. But she would explain it to him. Later. Now, there was only one thing she could do to take away his uncertainty. She stepped toward him, her arms going around his neck. She turned her face up to him and pulled him toward her, kissing him with a gentle tenderness that spoke of the promise of a future together.
“I do, Cal,” she whispered breathlessly, separating herself from him for a quick moment before she put her mouth to his once again. “I do want you.”
****
Cal couldn’t tell if his dizziness was from the kiss or his blood loss. His hands moved of their own will, pulling Sheena close to him, until she seemed to melt into his body. She was the solid anchor in his world right now. And she wanted him. Even if she hadn’t said it, she was telling him in a more important way. She was so alone, and he knew what that felt like. He wanted to protect her, to love her, and to erase that loneliness from her life—and from his own.
Her lips trembled beneath his, and he felt her uncertainty. His heart ached for her, and his desire to protect her from the world, from Richard Purl, even from her own family, grew. They could build a life together.
No matter what, he’d left her no choice by what he’d told Purl.
He lifted his lips from hers gently. She opened her eyes, staring up at him with a mixture of concern and what looked to him like the beginnings of love. His heart leapt, and he reached to push back an errant strand of her copper-colored hair.
“Are you sure, Sheena?” His gaze shifted, and he took in the arching brows, the creamy skin, and the soft lips, swollen from the kiss they’d just shared. She was all he could have ever hoped for.
She nodded, her eyes going to his. “Yes. I’m sure, Cal.”
“Well,” Liv said, barely able to contain her glee. “Looks like we need to start planning a wedding.”
****
Liv insisted on having the ceremony in her large front parlor the very next afternoon. When Cal had protested, Liv would hear none of it.
“It’s no trouble at all, Cal,” she’d declared with an airy wave of her hand. “We’ll have Mike round up some witnesses.” She’d cocked her head, giving Sheena a thoughtful look. “Come, dear. I have something that might fit you. Something more appropriate for a wedding.”
“Oh, but—”
Liv had taken her by the arm and led her down the hallway, leaving Cal standing alone.
Now, with the small group of witnesses assembled, and evening shadows deepening amid the soft glow of lanterns and lightly scented beeswax candles, Sheena made her entrance on Sheriff Mike Allred’s arm.
The sheriff’s easy-going demeanor diminished Sheena’s fears. When she glanced up, he was grinning at her, his big hand covering hers. He gave her a quick wink, and the fluttering in her stomach settled.
Still, she couldn’t help wondering if she was doing the right thing—for Cal. He had been nothing but kind since the moment they’d met, when he sought her out behind the telegraph office. Was he still being “only kind”? Offering her a way out of the mess her life had become?
He was the sort of man she’d dreamed of finding one day. Foolish dreams, she’d thought at the time. Was it too much to hope for, that they might now be coming true? How she had longed for someone who would care for her, love her and yes, cherish her for who she was. How rare was that kind of feeling between a man and a woman? Could she trust that this might very well be the beginning of that love—for both of them?
Her eyes met Cal’s from across the parlor as Mike escorted her closer with each step. When they stopped beside Cal, Mike whispered, “She’s all yours, pardner.”
A low titter of laughter rippled through the small group of guests who were assembled to witness the ceremony, and Sheena felt the hot blush rising in her cheeks.
Cal smiled. “Thanks,” he murmured. His gaze held her like a tender caress, and she resisted the urge to put her hand to his face as she certainly would have done if the room had not been full of people.
“Sheena—I left you little choice—” His voice was low and quiet, unhurried, as if they were alone and had all the time in the world.
She shook her head, her fingers going to his lips. “No, Cal. You gave me a choice. One that I’m so—so very proud to accept.”
“Ahem. Well, if you two are through,” Pastor Davidson said, quirking a brow, “I would be privileged to begin this here weddin’. I ’magine Cal’s feelin’ kinda poorly after losin’ all the blood he did. And he’s got to save his strength.”
At that, several of the men
hooted from where they sat in Liv’s parlor chairs and on the settees. Cal’s hand tightened around Sheena’s.
“He’s just joshin’, Sheena,” he said quickly, but Sheena laughed along with everyone else, and squeezed his hand in return.
“Dearly Beloved,” the pastor began, intoning the familiar wedding ceremony as Sheena and Cal made their responses.
“If any man can show cause as to why Sheena and Cal should not be joined in holy matrimony, let him speak now—” He paused dramatically, his deep-set hazel eyes sweeping around the room as if daring anyone to say something. After a moment, he finished, “—or forever hold his piece.”
Sheena’s heart pounded, and she realized she’d half expected Richard Purl to come bursting through the door to protest.
Satisfied, Davidson smiled widely at Sheena, then Cal. “Cal, you may kiss your beautiful bride. I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Cal bent his head and put his mouth to hers in a silent, gentle promise of every good thing she’d been thinking of as she’d walked toward him earlier. Her arms found their way around him, and he pulled her close, as a hearty round of applause erupted from the onlookers.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pure pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Callen Chandler,” Davidson announced, pride evident in his tone.
Sheena barely heard his words, but her besotted brain seized on ‘Mrs. Callen Chandler.’ That sounded wonderful.
****
Later after a light impromptu reception that Livvie had devised, the wedding guests departed, calling happy farewells and good wishes as they headed for their homes.
Livvie closed and locked the door behind the preacher, then turned toward where Cal leaned against the wall of the foyer.
Cal could see in Livvie’s face that she was not fooled. He was barely still standing—and if it weren’t for the wall behind him, he might not manage it at all.
At Livvie’s look, Sheena glanced up at him from where she stood nearby. He tried to give her a grin, but it didn’t materialize.
Her eyes widened. “Oh, dear,” she said softly. “This was all a crazy idea. We should’ve had a ten minute ceremony and let that be all of it—”
“No,” Cal said. “We had to do it this way. Lots of witnesses and everything done up proper. Sheena, Purl’s dangerous and, as you said, he’s got money. We have to be certain the law is on our side.”
“He’s right, honey.” Liv shook her head. “That man is crazy as an old coon and twice as mean.” She walked to the kitchen table and began collecting the dirty china. “Don’t want to give him any legal cause to stand on. Especially now that there’s a baby on the way.”
It was the first time the subject had been broached with all three of them together. Cal watched Sheena closely. She shuddered and he reached for her. At his movement, Liv raised her head to give them her full attention.
“Y’all best get on to bed. I declare, Cal, if you had any more white blood in you I’d almost say you were pale right now. You really need to get some rest.”
He waved her off, but she was right. He was beginning to feel light-headed. A grim smile touched his lips. Sheena would have nothing to worry about tonight. He figured he’d be asleep the minute his head hit the pillow.
“This is your wedding night.” Liv gave Cal a knowing look. “For all the good it’ll do you. Sure hope you’re feeling better by tomorrow.”
He nodded wearily, holding a hand out to Sheena. “Me, too.”
As they entered their room, Sheena closed the door firmly and locked it. She turned the bed down swiftly and he sat on the edge, none too soon. A surge of relief swept through him and he allowed her to tug his boots off.
He started to unbutton his shirt, but Sheena quickly took over the task, brushing his fingers aside lightly. “Let me do that.” Her brows drew together as she bent close to him, so close that the loose tendrils of her copper-burnished hair tickled his nose and cheek. “I should have ended it sooner.”
He couldn’t help but smile at the sweet concentration on her delicate features.
“Hey.”
She stopped, raising her eyes to his as she opened the last button.
Cal lifted a hand to her face, cupping her cheek. So soft. How could anyone hurt her? Thinking of what Purl had done to her made his anger boil over. He forced it away, his voice steady as he spoke. “It’s not every day a woman gets married, you know.”
She smiled at him, a definite spark of happiness in her eyes. “It’s not every day you get stuck with—”
“Shh.” He put a finger over her lips. “I’m not ‘stuck’, Sheena.” Every moment he spent with her made him realize that he was happy to be with her.
“Lie down,” she told him softly, clearly embarrassed.
He shrugged out of his shirt and lay back on the soft, welcoming length of the bed. She stood indecisively beside the door.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m afraid you are very ‘stuck’, Cal.” She looked down at the floor, her face coloring in the dim light. “Unless…you plan on an annulment.”
“No. I didn’t plan on that.” His shoulder throbbed painfully as his heart pounded double-time. Was that what she wanted? He’d never really made it plain to her that he intended to see this marriage through…if she would have him. He wasn’t even sure when that decision had come to him. Maybe the moment he’d seen her walking toward him this evening in Liv’s parlor, her steps uncertain, her chin notched up in that determined way he was beginning to recognize. He wouldn’t let her go, now, without a fight.
His eyes closed, and he felt himself slipping toward the blessed relief of sleep. Her cool hand came across his forehead. She blew out the lamp, just before the rustle of her borrowed dress whispered in the darkness. After a moment, the warm weight of her body settled beside him. He moved to cradle her close to him protectively. She needed that right now, he knew. More than anything, for this moment at least, she needed him.
“You—You’re my husband now.” She took a deep breath. “And you have your husbandly rights.”
The silken ripple of her hair teased his fingers and he twined a skein of the burnished copper in his grip. “I know.”
She was quiet, as if she were trying to find the words she wanted to say to him. Several seconds passed. Finally, she whispered, “Thank you. You’re a good man, Cal.”
He debated about not answering, and just letting her believe he’d gone to sleep. But he knew the matter stood between them. He kissed the top of her head and felt her shoulders shake.
“Then, we’re a good match, Sheena.”
She drew in a slow breath, trying to keep her tears from shaming her even more. But Cal understood. After what she’d been through, she needed to cry, to get it all out.
“You just go ahead and cry, little darlin’.”
“I—I don’t want to go back,” she tried to explain. “But I don’t want him to hurt you—”
Cal laughed softly. “Sheena.”
She sniffed, nestling closer to him as he spoke her name.
“Don’t worry about me. And don’t worry about you and the baby. I’ll keep you safe.”
“I’ve always wanted to be in love.”
The quiet words surprised him back to alert wakefulness, and his arms tightened around her. What was she expecting him to say?
“That’s…every girl’s dream, I guess, isn’t it?”
She nodded against him. “I wanted you to know, Cal. I think…maybe we’ve got a pretty good start on it, after the last couple of days. But—” her voice became shy, “I…could we maybe get a little farther along before we—well, you know—do what Richard Purl did—”
Cal moved over her quickly. He couldn’t bear to think that Sheena’s idea of their relationship would be in comparison to what Purl had done to her.
He put his mouth over hers to stop the words. She yielded sweetly to him, opening her lips as he kissed her.
“Sheena, Sheena,” he muttered close to her cheek
. “I’d never do what Purl did to you. When you and I make love, it’ll be because we both want it. And I promise you—” he lifted himself to look into her trusting gaze, “we’ll wait until you’re ready.”
Her eyes filled with tears and she reached to touch his hair. “Callen, I reckon that’s more than a body could ask.” She smiled up at him. “And more than I could ever hope for.”
****
The next morning as Sheena, Cal and Liv sat down to eat breakfast, there was a quick knock at the front door. Liv cautiously opened it to admit Sheriff Allred. He removed his hat as he stepped inside.
“I hate to interrupt your breakfast, but could I see you for a minute, Cal?”
The undercurrent of warning in the sheriff’s tone made Sheena’s head come up quickly. “What—”
Cal laid a hand on her wrist as he stood up. “It’s all right. I’ll be right back.” He looked at his friend. “Unless you’d care to join us for a bite, Mike?”
Allred looked uncomfortable. He glanced down at the dark hat in his hands. “No—I think—it might be better if we stepped outside.”
“Nonsense,” Liv spoke up. She set another plate at the end of the table. “Join us, Michael. Sheena, here, and I are women—not idiots. You can say what needs sayin’—from the way you’re fidgeting, it’s got something to do with our unwelcome visitors.” She laid silverware beside the plate. “Sit, Michael. Everything’s getting cold.”
Cal gave his friend an easy smile. “There’s no arguing with a woman when she makes up her mind to somethin’, Mike. Might as well sit down and have some biscuits.”
Allred pulled out his chair and lowered himself into it with a sigh of resignation. “It ain’t pretty.” He glanced at Sheena. “Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am. Mr. Purl is sayin’ some awful vicious things about you over to the saloon.”
Sheena took a deep breath and reached for the plate of bacon that Liv offered her. She could well imagine what Richard Purl was spouting. “Well—I’m sure I’ve probably heard it before, Sheriff.”
“He’s tellin’ everyone you’re…in the family way.”
“That’s true.” She passed the plate to Cal.
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