by Danni Roan
“Ready?” He asked, a soft smile played about his lips but the smoke of memories drifted in his eyes.
“I’m ready Papa.” She answered feeling like that small girl who’d followed her father everywhere for so long.
He offered her his arm and she took it. “I’m pleased to see you happy Meg.” He said, his voice breaking on her name. “I was afraid I’d ruined your life there for a while.”
“If anyone had ruined my life it was me and my stupid pride.” Meg confessed grudgingly. “I thought that Clayton was someone else, someone who wanted to steal away my dreams.” She paused a bright smile lighting her eyes. “Instead he turned out to be the one who can make them come true.” She squeezed her father’s arm feeling that same strength she always trusted in as a child.
“Then I guess we’d best get down stairs.” Joshua James said and stepped through the door.
The smell of damp earth and early spring flowers mingled with the heady sent of April engulfed the ranch as Meg walked with her father toward the large oak at the back of the property. A garland of fresh daisies draped her copper highlighted hair like a crown as her soft slippers skimmed across the bright green fringe of new growth in the yard.
She looked up to see the handsome cowboy waiting for her in the bright afternoons sun. His raven black hair pulled back from his face with a leather cord and his black suit seemed to enhance his broad chest and wide shoulders. His smile made her heart stutter, as she walked down the aisle made by her family. Everyone had come. Benji and Cathleen, Brion and his Indian wife Winny with their two beautiful children Sean and Annabelle. Even Deeks’ thin, silent bride Ray had finally joined them.
The skinny pastor of Casper had arrived and now stood, Bible in hand, waiting to say the words that would truly make them man and wife.
Meg felt like she was floating through a dream as her hand came to rest in the broad callused palm of this man that she was just starting to understand. She lifted a silent prayer of thanks to heaven that he hadn’t been taken from her before she’d had the chance to discover that she loved him, and she shivered.
She said the words the pastor gave her, not really hearing her own voice as she drifted in the amber depths of Claytons eyes.
“You may now kiss the bride.” The parsons high voice intoned and Meg, jumped at the sudden realization that she had willingly tied herself to this man who held her hand firmly.
Clayton bent his head toward Meg’s mouth, his wolfish eyes glowing from within, but he paused before his lips met hers his bright gaze flickering.
“I can’t promise I’ll always make you happy.” He began, “or that I’ll be able to give you everything you ever want.” He held her spell bound as her heart beat in her ears. “but I can promise to always love you.” he ended punctuating his words with a sweet kiss full of promise.
The cheers of the members of the Broken J filled the air as they parted.
A gentle tug on Clayton’s pant leg drew his attention away from the beautiful woman he could now truly call wife and he looked down into the bright face of Eric, who once again had snuck up on him.
“Are you my Uncle Clayton now?” the boy asked, face shining.
“You bet I am partner.” The Florida boy drawled, running a hand over the boy's pale blonde head.
“Good the boy offered. It gets pretty dad gum confusin’ around here with too many Mr.’s”
Clayton had just taken Meg's arm to escort her down the aisle when he noticed the sheriff ambling toward him, a large smile evident beneath his bushy mustache.
"I just rode out to give you this here annulment." the man said, a wicked twinkle in his eye. "But it looks like you won't be needin' it now." he winked at both of them then extended a hand. "Congratulations to the both of you." he added before melding back into the crowd.
The Broken J danced, and ate late into the night, as a full moon crept higher into the sky. Clayton taking advantage of the deepening night took the opportunity to spirit his blushing bride away to their room, while the rest of the ranch studiously pretended not to notice.
Issy and Lexi gathered Eric to them convincing the boy to stay with them for the night as they giggled pretending not to notice their sister pulling Hank into a dark corner. Even Will and Katie made a quiet exit as night closed in.
As the revelers slipped away silence once again engulfed the ranch and the bright stars twinkled down their blessings.
Joshua James sat on the back porch in a rocking chair that Hank had built enjoying the night air. He breathed deeply taking in the smell of freshly turned sod newly planted with wheat, the spring flowers, and the green smell of new grass. Behind him he could hear the clink of dishes as Bianca, Billy and Chen Lou cleared away the remnants of the party.
As a soft breeze blew across the prairie, he pushed himself to his feet and stepped out into the pale white of the full moon. Quietly he strode across the yard and under the heavy limbs of the big cotton wood; silvery light caressing the tomb stones resting there.
Laying a sun browned hand on the weathered grave marker the big cattleman leaned his weight against the largest stone.
“Our babies are all settled now.” He whispered as his finger traced the letters that spelled out Bridgette’s name on the rock face. “I’m pleased they all have good men. Men who will protect them and will try to see that the Broken J provides for each of them.” He chuckled, we'll be doin' a good deal of building in the near future I think."
He paused running his hand over his face. “I’m tired darlin’.” He gazed around the dark ranch in the crisp moon light. “I need to find just a little more strength to finish the job. “Tell Cammy we’re doing what we can for her girls now.” He offered with a sigh then turning made his way back to the dark house. Thoughts of love and loss sharp in his mind.
Epilogue
Three dark forms stood on the rise overlooking the Broken J watching as one by one the lights went off in the structures that made up the ranch. A final light winked out in the big house and they turned toward their mounts.
“That barbed wire they been putti’ up’s gonna be a problem Boss.” One man said, as he lifted the reins of his horse and stepped into the saddle.
“It don’t matter.” the other man said and spat. “We’ll take a few head here and there but this is a long game we’re playin’ and I got my sights set on more’n a few cows.” His dark eyes sparkled maliciously in the star light as he gazed hungrily at the spread.
“You boys mount up and we’ll drive some stock on over to Saratoga.”
“I’d sure like to lay my hands on that black hoss they has.” Another man called as he turned his horse toward the cows they’d bunched at the foot of the hill. “I ain’t seen a finer piece o’ horse flesh since I left home.”
“If you stick with me and let me do the thinkin’ for us, you can have that horse and much more.” The Boss said harshly then kicked his mount into a canter his evil laughter filling the dark night.
Meg was too excited to sleep. She and Clayton had ridden to Casper just two days after their official wedding. She couldn’t be happier and she was only now beginning to discover how easily Clayton could make her laugh. She snuggled close to him in the small bed at the boarding house and he grunted when her knee made contact with his thigh.
“You should be sleeping.” He whispered, an unseen smile sliding across his face.
“I can’t sleep.” Meg whispered. “I’m too excited.”
“Excited?” Clayton drawled. “I like the sound of that.”
Meg giggled but cuffed him on the shoulder. “You know what I mean.” She whispered knowing just how thin the walls were in this building.
Clayton chuckled and pulled her on top of him. “I could think of something that might help you sleep.” His eyes glowed even in the darkness.
Meg felt her face heat as she blushed. “Sh.” She warned, you’ll wake Mrs. Bicks.
Again the dark cowboy chuckled and snuggled her to him, pushing her hea
d down to rest on his chest. “Go to sleep Meg.” He said kissing her lightly on the top of the head and hoping they’d at least get a little rest.
The next morning was gray and a steady rain fell, turning the streets to a murky soup, but even the cold drizzle couldn’t dampen Meg’s spirits as she hurried Clayton down the board walk toward the station. She’d barely allowed him to eat his breakfast before hauling him out into the street.
As they came abreast of the train station, a huge locomotive already waiting as it unloaded passengers and supplies, Clayton looked down into the muddy thoroughfare, then with a wicked grin he scooped Meg into his arms and stepped into the street with a squish.
Meg squealed and clung to his neck, bright color tinging her cheeks.
A stocky man, his black hair laced with white nodded at the puncher, his light brown eyes sparkling with mirth as he titled his head toward his slim blond wife who smiled at the young couple without pausing in her chatter to the man who held her hand in the crook of his muscular arm.
Clayton smiled and tipped his hat as he sat Meg on the dry boards of the covered walkway then stepped back into the street to retrieve their traveling bags.
The train smelled of damp wood and soot as Meg and Clayton settled in their sleeper car. He’d thought of saving his money but as a newlywed valued his privacy more. Leaning over he kissed his wife soundly, then lifted their travel bags into the rack provided before sitting and slipping his arm around Meg.
“Ready for an adventure?” He asked his bright eyes glowing, as the train whistle blew a piercing scream and the whole compartment lurched.
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Special acknowledgment: The Partin Ranch is in fact an historical part of the history of the Kissimmee/Saint Cloud area in Florida and has preserved the Cracker horse for many years. It is with great thanks for their permission to add them, all be it a bit early in the time line, to this book. For information on the Partin Ranch please check out their web site. http://www.heartbarranch.com/
About the Author
Danni Roan, a native of Western Pennsylvania, spent her childhood roaming the lush green mountains on horseback. She has always loved westerns and specifically western romance and is thrilled to be part of this exciting genre. She has lived and worked overseas with her husband and tries to incorporate the unique quality of the people she has met throughout the years into her books. Although Danni is a relatively new author on the scene she has been a story teller for her entire life, even causing her mother to remark that as a child “If she told a story, she had to tell the whole story.” Danni is truly excited about this new adventure in writing and hopes that you will enjoy reading her stories as much as she enjoys writing them.
