by Sara Orwig
“I know that,” Luke said, looking at Catalina and pulling her to his side. “See, it’s not bad.”
“Wow, Pa, that was something!” Jeff exclaimed, scooting close to Luke. “Did you see Uncle Noah?”
“Pa’s bleeding, Knox!”
“I saw,” Luke answered, “and I’ll thank him in just a minute.”
Catalina glowered at Luke while Dr. García cleaned and bandaged the wound. Luke looked down at her. “I’m all right, Catalina.”
She let out a long breath and moved closer to him, lacing her fingers in his. “It frightens me when you are in such danger.”
“He’s going to be fine,” García assured her.
April was sitting on the bench when Noah finally put away his pistols and joined her. “Sorry if I startled you.”
“Noah, that was frightening, and Luke was hit!”
“Luke’s okay. I heard the doc say so, honey. And it could have been far worse if I hadn’t done something.”
“I know. She leaned against him. “Noah, I couldn’t bear anything to happen now.”
“Are we going to tell everyone our news or not?”
“I told Ma and Catalina last night, so I guess we can tell everyone.”
“Good.”
Javier stepped to his side to clasp him on the shoulder. “I owe you much, Noah. Thank you. You may have saved my son’s life, as well as the lives of others.”
“I just happened to see Craddock go for his six-shooter. I had some help from all of you.”
Javier nodded and went to Luke to thank him. Outside, a crowd had gathered, staring with curiosity at the jail. Finally the Danbys and O’Malleys filed out into the sunshine to congratulate Dan and Luke.
Dan hugged Mary. “I’m free, honey. I’m not a wanted man.”
She was still shaken by what had happened so quickly. “Dan, let’s go home,” she pleaded, and he held her tightly and nodded.
It was another two hours before they had told everyone good-bye and loaded up for the ride back to Denver. Noah and April had wanted them to come to Albuquerque, but they needed to get home, so they promised they would come later in the year. And while everyone was together, Noah announced that they were expecting another child.
Dan and Mary spent almost half an hour in farewell hugs before parting, Mary, Dan, and her family heading north, the others heading south. They reached Denver the next night, telling the O’Malley men goodbye and turning toward their home. He unhitched the wagon while Mary drew a hot bath. She hummed as she bathed, hearing bootheels in the hall and looking up to see Dan in the doorway. He was dusty from the ride, his clothes rumpled, a gunbelt slung low on his hips as he paused in the doorway. His golden hair was tangled from the wind, but he looked marvelous to her and she felt refreshed and happy, because on the trail back to Denver she had made a discovery.
“You do look good!” he drawled, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it down.
He poured a brandy and drank it. “I’m glad to be home. I’m thankful to be a free man. And we’re finally going to have our own little celebration.”
“Are we, now?”
She had her hair pulled up and tied on top of her head with a blue ribbon. Water filled the tub up to her breasts. Her flesh was glistening, and she looked beautiful. Dan felt desire kindle and burn. He took a long drink of brandy and set down the glass, wanting to take Mary to bed now.
“I’m dusty, Mary,” he said, unbuckling his belt and pulling off his boots. He undressed swiftly, taking the bottle of brandy and climbing into the tub with her.
“Dan!”
“This is the advantage of such a big tub. Takes longer to empty and fill, but it sure as hell is fun while you’re in it!”
She laughed as he moved her over him and she faced him. He poured a little brandy between her breasts and leaned forward to lick it off. “Oh, hon, I’m glad to be home and I’m so damned glad to be free.”
“I’m happy about that too, but there’s something else that I think is even better.”
“There’s not much better than being free and in a tub with you when you’re bare.”
“Oh, yes, there is.”
He squeezed out a cloth and ran it over her, relishing her soft curves, thinking he wanted to love her all night long. She leaned forward to kiss him, tasting brandy, feeling his warm solid body. His arousal pressed against her belly as she leaned forward to slide her arms around him.
“What’s making you so happy, then?” he asked, taking another long drink of brandy and setting the bottle on the floor beside the tub.
She trailed kisses from his ear to his mouth. He tightened his arms around her, kissing her hard, then pulled away. “All right, there’s something you know that I don’t. What is it? Something about my family or yours? Something you learned on the trip?”
“Both,” she said smugly, leaning away from him with her hands on his shoulders. “It’s about our family, and I realized it on the trip. We’re going to have a baby.”
Dan stared at her in amazement, and Mary’s heart beat with joy. “You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Oh, Mary!” He crushed her to him, turning her to kiss her long and hard.
She clung to him, relishing his strong arms around her, his long hard body, thinking of the new life they had started and the promise their future held.
More from Sara Orwig
Albuquerque
"Sara Orwig draws readers in with just the right amount of mystery, humor and chemistry to keep them eagerly turning the pages." —RT BOOK REVIEWS
Albuquerque is the boomtown of the New Mexico territory, where ambition and greed make even the boldest of dreams come true. It is where April Dabney resides, singing in church by day and serenading the patrons of a local saloon by night.
It is also where Noah McCloud comes to build a promising future from the remains of a broken past.
It is where these star crossed lovers find one another amidst bitter enemies and the undeniable pull of desire.
San Antonio
"Sara Orwig's masterful touch will make your heart sing with joy."—RT BOOK REVIEWS
Luke Dabney grew up in Texas, the land of peril and promise. It is there that the hardened lawman vows to exact revenge on Domingo Pietra, the man who destroyed Luke’s family.
Catalina is the beautiful daughter of the powerful and ruthless Domingo Pietra, but not even her father can control the desire that blazes inside her for Luke Dabney.
Will the strength of her love be enough to pierce Luke's determined heart, a heart set on vengeance?
New Orleans
The start of a sweeping historical trilogy, the search for romance begins as the threat of civil war looms. From USA Today bestselling romance author Sara Orwig.
"Sara Orwig presents readers...with a story as big, sprawling, passionate, and seething with excitement and danger as New Orleans itself...a riveting tale..."—Romantic Times
As rumblings of succession begin in the south, New Orleans heiress Chantal Theirrie is looking for a husband. Obligation drives her towards Lazare Galliard, the man who has it all, including wealth, power and passion. But Rafferty O’Brien, an Irish immigrant who has come to New Orleans to seek his fortune, has an impossible-to-resist drive, and is determined to get what he wants, including the beautiful but out of reach Chantal.
As a war brews between the states, Chantal will be fighting her own war between what her heart and her mind wants.
"A richly rewarding story - a real page-turning. Sara Orwig is unquestionably one of the best romance writers in the country today."—B. Dalton's Heart to Heart.
Memphis
In the second book of the sweeping historical trilogy, a woman defies expectations to hold onto her land, and her heart. From USA Today bestselling romance author Sara Orwig.
"An incredible Civil War romance...Ms. Orwig has gifted the readers with a tour-de-force novel that belongs on everyone's must read list." - Affaire de Coeur mag
azine, Five Stars.
Spirited Sophia Merrick is left to run the family farm after her father and brothers go off to fight for the South in the ongoing civil war. Scorning the limitations imposed on her because she’s a woman, Sophia vows to protect her family’s land from invaders. What she doesn’t anticipate are the stirrings of passion dredged up by cavalryman Caleb O’Brien, the immigrant who has vowed to fight for the South just as his forefathers fought to protect Ireland. Her resistance to his charms makes Sophia all the more alluring to Caleb, and he’s just as determined to bring her womanly passion to the surface as he is to protect her from the dangers of war.
"A stirring romantic adventure that will capture your heart and imagination." - Rendezvous magazine
Atlanta
The conclusion to the sweeping historical trilogy, as both the South and its people have been transformed by war, unexpected passions are ignited. From USA Today bestselling romance author Sara Orwig.
"Fast-paced action and escalating romantic tension make ATLANTA a pageturner. These O'Brien men may well be addictive!" -RT Book Reviews
The Northern soldiers ravaged Atlanta during the Civil War. Now as the city attempts to recover, all Claire Dryden has left is the little boy she has adopted and sworn to protect with her life. When the handsome Yankee colonel Fortune O’Brien storms into town, demanding to reclaim the boy he claims is his stolen son, Claire’s vow is put to the test. For she loves the boy more than life itself, but the passion O’Brien ignites in her threatens to weaken her resolve.
"A wonderful romance told with passion and style by the talented Ms. Orwig...well-developed characters...this book is HOT." - Affaire de Coeur Magazine
Heat Wave
As the temperature rises, passions are ignited during the hottest summer in Kansas yet. From USA Today bestselling romance author Sara Orwig.
"Delightful, humorous, sensitive and very sensual! You'll love it!" - Affaire de Coeur magazine
Marilee O’Neil isn’t one to turn down a challenge, not even when it’s to pilot a friend’s hot air balloon in a race. But when she’s forced to change course and make an unexpected landing on a wheat farm, Marilee’s overconfidence gets the better of her, and she ends up in the middle of a swimming pool, giving the handsome sunbathing farmer quite a shock! But Cole Chandler takes surprise in stride, gallantly rescuing Marilee from her soggy landing, and instantly setting her body afire. Though Marilee tries to resist their growing attraction, she can’t deny that it isn’t just the summer heat that has her on the edge.
Oregon Brown
Fantasy clashes with reality as a woman’s passions are torn between two impossible options. From USA Today bestselling romance author Sara Orwig.
"Sara Orwig really shows her stuff in the marvelous OREGON BROWN...This book is destined to become a real classic."—Romantic Times
"[A] deftly humorous touch...with a unique first encounter." —Chicago Sun-Times
Charity Jane Webster spends her evenings listening to the sexy voice of DJ Rory Runyon flowing across the airwaves. Filling her nights with love songs and whispered endearments, he’s the perfect fantasy lover—unlike her distractingly handsome neighbor. Oregon Brown drives Charity crazy, somehow knowing all of her deepest secrets while being impossibly seductive. Charity will have to choose between the voice that haunts her dreams, and the man who can hold her in his arms.
"This...proves that the great romances can stand the test of time. Sara Orwig is at her best with the poignant, witty, and charming OREGON BROWN." —Affaire de Coeur magazine
The Goodies Case
The search for the perfect man ends in a sweet surrender. From USA Today bestselling romance author Sara Orwig.
Crystal has dedicated her life to caring for her nutty but loving family. She’s determined to bring order and reason into her life, and the next goal on her list is to settle down with an ordinary man. But Pug Moffitt is determined to throw Crystal’s plans off course. The owner of a gourmet food shop where Crystal is reluctantly taking cooking lessons, Pug seduces her with sweet confections, appealing to her sweet tooth, as well as the passions she’s been trying to keep at bay.
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