“He’s sayin’ that you’re tryin’ to blackmail him.”
“No. I want nothing from him except that he go away.” Her heart pounded against her chest, as if it struggled to be set free. Hadn’t he done enough? When she thought of how Cal had held her last night, she couldn’t bear the remembrance of what had taken place in the other man’s carriage.
“Will you take a message back to Mr. Purl for me, Mike?” Cal spooned the pepper gravy over his biscuits as if he hadn’t a care. But Sheena saw the way he gripped the bowl.
“What would that be?” Mike gave Cal a wary look.
“Tell him blackmail is out of the question, as far as we’re concerned. This is much more serious—for him. Remind him that my grandfather is a Comanche chief. I walk in both worlds.” His eyes met Mike’s and held. “And I decide if it will be this one, with courts and judges—or if it will be the other one—the one of the Comanche people. It’s my choice. The way of the Comanche is much more—savage. But we can settle things that way if he likes…our legs tied together…each armed with a knife…”
“Now, wait a minute, Cal. You know he wouldn’t stand a chance against you like that.”
Cal nodded. “I know it. But does he? Someone should make him aware of the risks, Sheriff, don’t you think?”
“You—you’re not like that—”
He set the gravy bowl down very gently. “Don’t you doubt it, Mike. Not for one minute. I protect what’s mine.” He reached for Sheena’s hand. “The lady is mine. The baby is mine. I will kill Richard Purl the next time I see him. Tell him that, too.”
After a moment, Allred looked down at his empty plate. “Well, you’re a man of your word. I know that much about you. I don’t want any trouble.”
“Then deliver the message, Mike.”
Allred stood up. “With all haste.”
Cal smiled faintly. “You don’t have to rush. After breakfast would be soon enough. Liv makes the best gravy around.”
“Enjoy it. I got a message to run right now. Some things are more important than breakfast.” He nodded at Sheena and Liv. “Ma’am. Liv. See you later on.”
“We’ll be coming into town around noon,” Cal mentioned casually. “He’ll want to be gone by then.”
Allred laughed. “Yeah. I expect he will, at that, if he’s got a lick of sense.”
****
As Allred closed the door behind him, Liv shook her head. She gave Cal a look of disbelieving admiration. “Boy, you have done it now.”
“I meant to ‘do it.’”
Sheena laid her fork down. Her stomach rolled and tumbled as the familiar morning sickness took hold.
Cal turned to her, his eyes instantly filling with concern. “Sheena?”
“I’m sorry. It’s the baby—the morning sickness.”
“I brewed some tea, dear.” Liv stood up and turned for the stove. “This will help, I believe.” In a mild voice, she went on. “It doesn’t help to let yourself get upset, Sheena. That only makes it worse.”
Sheena gave her a weak smile. “It seems I’ve been in a constant state of upset for the last three months. Ever since Richard Purl…” Her voice trailed away, and she bit her lip.
Cal turned around in his chair to face her, his dark eyes boring into hers. “That will end today, Sheena. One way or the other. Either Purl leaves peacefully, or—”
“I couldn’t bear it if you were hurt again because of me.” Her voice hitched.
Cal reached to pat her arm, his fingers lingering on there a moment. “That’s not going to happen. I said you’re safe with me, and you are. Trust me.” His touch was soothing on her skin, his voice quiet and sure. She wanted so badly to believe. She’d had so many dreams that had faded to nothing. Even the love of her parents hadn’t been real, it seemed. It was hard to have faith in anything, after seeing so many hopes turn to dust.
“Believe in me, Sheena.”
How could she not take a chance? She thought of his quick reassurance at their wedding, when the allusion to the ‘night to come’ had been made. Amid the laughter, he’d reassured her. She couldn’t stop thinking, either, of the way he’d come to see about her that first morning when she’d been so alone, so vulnerable…so afraid.
Where’s your husband?
I have no husband. Are you volunteering for the job?
He had done just that. He had believed in her. Taken the responsibility of her and her unborn child. Married her to protect her. All he was asking in return was her trust; for her to believe that he could do what he’d promised.
She nodded, reaching to take his hand. “I do, Cal. I do believe.”
A slow smile quirked his lips at her breathless admission and in that moment, she knew she’d lost her heart to the handsome man who was now her husband.
“You won’t be sorry. I’m a good risk, Sheena. I promise you.”
He leaned forward and gave her a light kiss.
She had to explain, to let him know how she felt. “I don’t want to lose you, now that we have a chance—”
“I know, honey.” His fingers tightened on hers. “By this time tomorrow, this’ll all be over with.”
“Promise me something.”
“What’s that?”
“Keep yourself safe, Cal.”
He reached to touch her cheek. “Have no care, Sheena. We’ve got a future to share together.”
****
After they’d eaten and the dishes had been washed, Liv retired to the back parlor to give Cal and Sheena some privacy. The look Cal gave Sheena was searching, as if he were looking for something in her eyes that he wasn’t sure he’d find. He gave her a light kiss, and reached for his hat. It was, she thought, as if he were heading out to plow a field, chop wood, or clean the barn; when, in fact, he was going to decide their future.
“Cal,” she said suddenly, “I want—I want to come with you.” Her voice was breathless, barely recognizable to her own ears. He’d say no, of course, but she had to try—She couldn’t let him walk out the door without her, knowing he may never come back to her. If there was any doubt before of her love, she thought dismally, this was a true defining moment. There was no way she could deceive herself any longer. She was hopelessly in love with Callen Chandler. And there was a very good chance she could lose him.
He laid his hat on the table and stood looking down at her. The way his gaze moved over her, as if memorizing her features, made her feel like the most beautiful woman alive. In the depths of his eyes, she saw her own love reflected back tenfold. Her breath caught, and he took her hands in his, smiling as if he understood her unspoken thoughts.
“Sheena, I haven’t said this to you yet, but…I figure you have a right to know.” His fingers tightened around hers, and his jaw flexed, then relaxed. Whatever it was, Sheena thought, it was hard for him. She waited, her heart pounding, as he searched for the words he needed.
He shook his head, as if disbelieving his own feelings, doubting his ability to tell her what he felt he wanted to say.
She smiled in encouragement. “It can’t be that bad…can it?”
“No. No, it’s not bad at all. It’s just—I’ve never said this to any other woman. I want you to know, in case something happens, that…I love you.” He gave a short laugh. “I never thought—I’d ever…” His fingers tightened, then as if he had to remind himself not to grip too tightly, he slowly relaxed his hold before he went on.
Sheena’s mouth was dry. She moistened her lips. Everything she’d ever hoped for was coming true in the most unexpected way possible. And she stood to lose it all.
Cal must be feeling the same way. Otherwise, why would he be telling her this now? She swallowed hard.
Cal marshaled his thoughts before he continued. “I didn’t ever expect to fall in love. Never expected to have a—an angel dropped into my world the way you were. You’re everything a man could hope for, Sheena.”
Sheena’s eyes burned furiously as she let his words wash over her. Cal was
giving her such a precious gift, saying all the things she’d yearned to hear for so long. Things she’d never expected anyone to ever say to her.
“Anyhow, I just wanted you to know.”
She sniffed and wiped at her tears with the heel of her palm. “I—I love you, too, Cal. When my parents sent me away, I felt as if my world had ended. You…don’t know how low I was when you found me behind the telegraph office. I wanted do die.” She pulled away from him and crossed her arms, hugging herself tightly. “It’s sinful you know. To wish for death. But I did.”
He smiled at that, and she felt warmth flood through her. He didn’t think it was sinful. He understood. He always seemed to understand.
“Cal, I want you to know something too. “I’ve never said those words to anyone else either. So, I think…this must be real if we both feel it so strong. Don’t you think?”
He nodded. “Yeah,” he said after a few seconds. “I think it’s real, Sheena. And I’m coming back to you.”
“Please, let me come!” Her breath hitched on a sob.
Cal shook his head as he reached for his hat once more. “Not this time.” His lips quirked up as he turned to face her. “You can live without me for an hour or so, can’t you?”
“Don’t try to tease me out of this. Maybe I could reason with him somehow—”
“Ah, Sheena, you know better. Just wait here, so I know you’re safe.”
There was an edge to his tone. Sheena knew he was impatient to leave and take care of business. She nodded, giving him a weak smile. “All right. I’ll be here when you come back.”
Cal closed the short distance between them and took her in his arms. He bent to give her a long, searching kiss, then he pulled away from her. With one last look, he was gone.
Sheena stood rooted to the spot, the sound of the closing door echoing in her ears. Her lips tingled from the scorching kiss he’d given her.
“Are you going to just stand there?” Livvie’s voice cut into her musings.
Her head snapped up. “What else can I do?”
Livvie’s full lips curved slowly. “You and I are in need of a shopping trip, I think. Do you feel like walking over to Nelson’s Mercantile with me?”
Sheena’s heart soared. She gave Livvie a broad grin. “A shopping trip sounds…lovely.”
“We’ll stay out of sight.”
“I’d die if I had to stay here. To not be there with Cal.” At Liv’s warning look she amended, “To not be closer to Cal, I mean, when the fight happens.”
“You’re sure there’ll be a fight, then?”
Sheena nodded somberly, thinking of Richard Purl’s way of thinking the world was his to do with as he pleased. “Yes. But it won’t be fair.”
Livvie laughed aloud. “That’s what has you worried? You’re sure right, honey. Knowing Cal like I do, I’d venture to say that’s one fight that won’t be fair—by any stretch of the imagination. I think Mr. Purl will be exceedingly glad to see this day end.”
****
Cal pushed the saloon doors open and walked inside the dark interior. It was early in the day for there to be much business yet. Two tables were occupied at the far side of the establishment, and Richard Purl stood at the bar nursing a short glass of amber liquid, alone but for the two henchmen who stood to his right.
Purl nervously turned to face him at the sound of the doors. Cal stood for a moment watching Purl, judging his next move. Purl wore a gun, but Cal knew it served more as an ornament to decorate his hip than to be of any use. Purl would depend on his thugs to handle any difficulty for him.
Cal’s hands itched to wrap around the other man’s neck and choke the life out of him. But he couldn’t do that. He had to think of Sheena and the baby now, and do what was necessary to keep his promise to her. Their lives together stretched ahead of them, and he wouldn’t jeopardize that future.
“You’re still here, Purl?”
The two men at Purl’s elbow shrank back as Cal took another step into the bar and stood, waiting for Purl to react.
“I don’t want any trouble. I just want my—I want Sheena to return to Brush Creek with me. I want—”
“You’re used to taking what you want, aren’t you?”
Purl’s mouth tightened in a grim, straight line. “I suppose so. It’s the…privilege of money. I am prepared to bring Sheena home and give her a small house to stay in—one of the servant’s quarters. Once the child is born, I’ll take possession of it and Sheena will be free to stay in the quarters I’ve provided for her or go elsewhere. But, she’s not marriage material, of course, being Irish, and all.” He sniffed.
White hot anger pumped through Cal’s veins but he throttled it back, forcing himself to ask, “And the child?”
Purl shrugged. “The baby will be my heir unless I marry someone more suitable later on and there are children born of that union. Should that occur, Sheena’s child will be free to join her in the servants’ section of the estate.”
Cal’s lips quirked. “How…very generous of you, Mr. Purl. You’ve overlooked one major consideration with your plan. Sheena is my wife, and the baby—” Cal stopped, a thousand thoughts careening through his mind. Before these witnesses, he was about to claim a baby that was not his. There was no turning back. At this moment, the loathing he felt for the man before him consumed him. Yet, he was on the verge of claiming Purl’s baby as his own.
“The baby is mine, Purl.”
Purl’s pale gray eyes momentarily lit with a flare of anger. “Are you truthfully saying…you slept with her too?”
Cal’s jaw clenched. “I’m saying the baby is mine, and that’s all you need to know. You need to clear out of here.”
Purl’s expression was puzzled. “She was a virgin when I took her.” He laughed softly. “Fought real hard, but I showed her who was boss.”
In spite of Cal’s resolve to keep cool, he’d suddenly closed the space between them, and in the next instant, his fist connected with a satisfying crunch to Purl’s outthrust jaw.
Cal followed him to the floor, knocking over a nearby table and two chairs. Purl was strong but unskilled in hand-to-hand battle. Cal easily parried the clumsy attempts he made to fight back. With methodical precision, Cal slugged Purl’s face and ribs, his earlier anger dissolving as he let the cold, killing efficiency take over.
Purl tried to get up as Cal shifted for a better hold. “Please,” he begged. “No more. Don’t…don’t hit me again.”
“Cal.” The sheriff’s voice cut through the haze of unreality that hung across Cal’s mind. Allred’s hand closed around his upraised forearm, stopping his fist from crashing downward again into Purl’s bloody face.
His chest heaving, shoulder throbbing, he nodded his understanding, and Allred released him. Cal stood up slowly, taking a step back to allow Purl to rise.
The other man groaned, rolling to his stomach, and pushing himself onto his hands and knees. Panting heavily, he rocked unsteadily, as if he were about to pitch forward onto the face that Cal had already made a mess of.
Cal wasn’t about to let him collapse on the barroom floor. He wanted Purl gone. He wanted to go back to Livvie’s and let Sheena know that Purl was out of her life forever.
“Get up.” Cal laid a rough hand at the back of Purl’s neck and heaved him up by his shirt collar. He turned Purl around to face him and shoved him against the bar.
“You win, Chandler,” Purl panted, putting his hands up in surrender. Blood streamed from his nose, dripping onto his shirt.
“You bet your ass I won, Purl.” Cal flexed his fingers, sticky with blood, his knuckles swelling with bruising—but not as quickly as Purl’s eyes. They were nothing but red, raw slits. Satisfaction slid over Cal as he surveyed the damage he’d done.
In the far corner of the room, Allred’s deputies held Purl’s men at gunpoint.
Purl’s eyes shifted to where they stood, then back to Cal. “You want her—take her,” he snarled. “And good riddance to bad rubbish,
I say.” He turned his head to spit blood. “You two deserve each other.”
“You get the hell out of here, Purl. If I ever see you again, I’ll kill you, I swear.” Cal released the other man with a shove as he stepped away from him.
Purl reached slowly to wipe his mouth with the back of his sleeve, then straightened with a grimace.
One of Allred’s deputies motioned Purl’s men out the door with his gun. “Let’s go.”
The other patrons resumed their card games and drinks now that the excitement had passed. Cal was aware of Mike’s presence behind him. He was still worried, thinking Cal was going to hammer Richard Purl again at the slightest provocation. Cal had to admit, Mike’s worries were not unfounded. After what he’d done to Sheena, Cal would like nothing more than to finish Purl off.
Purl picked up his hat from the floor and walked unsteadily for the doors. Just as he started to push them open, he turned to look at Cal. “Did you and Sheena—what I mean is, is there a chance that the baby really is yours? It’s possible you might have had her—after I did.”
“Get out, Purl. Don’t push your luck. Nothing would please me more than to leave you lying in a permanent bloody heap.”
“Threatening me, Chandler? Again? In front of witnesses?”
“Hell no, you son of a bitch. I’m promising you. In front of anyone who wants to take notice. Don’t ever let me see your face again.”
“She’s not worth it. I could never be certain, now.” Purl turned once more and staggered through the doors into the sunlight.
Cal followed him outside, Mike close beside him. The deputies had already seen to it that Purl’s men were mounted and ready to ride. A riderless, saddled horse stood waiting for him. He nearly fell once as he tried to negotiate the steps, and then again as he pulled himself up on the horse.
The door of Nelson’s Mercantile crashed open and two women rushed out. From the corner of his eye, Cal saw the glint of sunlight on a mass of beautiful copper-golden hair across the street. A soft cry, the sound of his name, floated to him on the May afternoon air, and in the next moment, Sheena was in his arms.
He looked down into her green eyes, the same shade as the deepest forest foliage in the most secret glade. Her lips curved upward in a smile of pure joy, and Cal bent his head to kiss her, not closing his eyes yet, watching his doubts ride away from him as he tasted the happiness of his future.
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