by Linda Broday
Nate set the coffee to boiling and stretched out on his bedroll. He thought of all the things he’d do to Callie when he caught her—and catch her he would.
What he had in mind would take time. He’d haul her to the gang’s hideout. First, he’d put ten lashes on that proud back. Break a few fingers. Twist her arms. Then he’d really have some fun. Maybe he’d bite her like he’d done his obstinate wife when she refused to do his bidding. It irked him that he’d never broken Claire’s spirit.
He’d take his time with Callie and the results would be different.
After he got her warmed up, he’d let his brothers have their turn. They were family and they had revenge of their own to heap upon her head. And when she was a bloody mess, they’d take turns applying a piece of hot metal to her. She’d wear his brand. She’d belong to Nate for the rest of her life. They’d ruin her pretty face good. No other man would ever look at her.
She’d beg them to kill her, but he had other plans.
Once he’d broken her, he’d keep her around to cook and to pleasure him. Anytime, anywhere. Taking out the makings for a smoke, he rolled a cigarette and lit it. He blew a few smoke rings and smiled. Yes, ol’ Nate was going to make Callie Quinn very, very sorry she messed with him.
Once he got her out of the way, he’d turn his attention to Toby. He would have to work hard to undo all of the Quinn sisters’ bad influence. First he’d change the boy’s name. He’d always hated that god-awful wimpy name. Change it to something like Bart or Black Jack. Something fitting for an outlaw.
And then he would teach the boy how to kill.
In the end, Toby would be his son. All his. No one could stop that from happening.
After a cup of hot coffee, he made a plan. He’d sneak back into town and get rid of that meddling sheriff. Then he’d look for the man who’d shielded Toby from view. Something told Nate he’d find Callie Quinn there.
His plan was foolproof.
All he had to do was be patient.
Twelve
The next morning after breakfast, Rand and Toby went outside to work on putting new lumber on the barn. Callie doubted the youngster would be much help, but the boy loved spending time with the tall rancher. He needed the security Rand offered.
Nightmares had plagued Toby. During the night, he’d sat up in bed several times screaming, “Don’t let him get me! Save me!”
Callie wished her calm words of assurance had come from her heart. But they hadn’t. Nate terrified her as much as he did Toby.
It surprised her when she rose to find Rand sitting grim faced in the kitchen with his Winchester resting on the table a few inches from his hand. He also wore a gun belt with his Colt in the holster. From the looks of it, he’d sat up the entire night guarding her and Toby. He didn’t have to say a word. She knew he would make this his routine. Rand would battle the dark shadows that would reach out and grab her and snuff out her life. He would fight to the death for her, for them.
When that brilliant blue gaze met hers, her knees had buckled and she had to clutch the back of a chair to steady herself. She knew he was remembering the kiss last evening.
The kiss that had plundered her ability to think straight had carried Rand’s heart with it. The intensity of it still pulsed inside her. Afterward, lying there in bed, she’d burned with desire for more, and she guessed he felt the same way. She suspected she’d never tire of his kisses, but she also knew where her desires would lead.
And she wouldn’t go down that path.
Callie rose and stacked the dirty plates. Rand’s key ring lay on the table. He’d forgotten to stick it into his pocket.
Sitting back down, she lifted the ring and flipped to the scrolled key. She recalled hers had a nick near the hole, some kind of imperfection in the metal.
Rand’s key bore a nick in the same place.
She was positive this was hers. What to do about it? Explain everything to Rand? She knew he’d give it to her in a heartbeat. But then she’d have to tell him what it went to.
It might be better to leave the key where it was for now. It was safe. When she found her mother’s treasure chest, she could tell Rand about it then. No sense heaping more onto his shoulders. The man had enough to handle.
With that decided, she got up and put a pan of water on the stove to heat so she could wash the dirty dishes.
While she waited, she straightened up her kitchen.
In the quiet of the house, it seemed she clearly heard her mother’s voice whispering through the familiar rooms. Don’t run. Make a stand here. This is the place.
Stunned by the clarity of the thought, Callie sank into a chair. Why not? She glanced around her at the house that had sheltered her long ago, and again now. This was her home. The one where loving memories surrounded her. She’d had love here, climbed her first tree, learned to ride a horse and to read and write. The marks on the wall in the kitchen had measured Claire’s and her growth. Little nicks she’d carved in the banister to record her time here still remained. Strength slowly seeped into her.
Yes, the time had come to make a stand and fight. Right here on the Last Hope Ranch. Rand was right. Running would only get them killed. At least here Rand and his brothers presented a formidable force. They would protect her and Toby.
Glorious calm washed over her. She was at peace now that she’d made the decision and knew it was right.
Hurriedly, she washed the dishes. She needed to be out helping the man who was willing to brave the scorching flames of a dragon’s breath and slay him for her. She couldn’t wait to tell him.
* * *
Rand found that having Callie beside him, holding the boards while he drove in the nails, was quite a distraction. He’d already hammered the dickens out of his thumb and forefinger several times. He could barely feel the throb, though. Each time he looked at her, such an overpowering longing for another taste of her lips came over him.
“Want to take a break?” she asked. “I have something to talk to you about.”
“I can sure stand to wet my whistle.” His heart sank. It could only mean bad news. He laid down the board he’d just picked up, and they walked to the water tank at the foot of the windmill. With Toby in his tepee playing, they wouldn’t be disturbed.
“When are you leaving?” His low voice was thick and unsteady.
“We’re not. We’re staying right here. It came to me this morning that running is not the solution. I’m making a stand. Here on this land. For better or worse.”
“Thank God.” Rand picked her up and swung her around. “Best news I’ve heard in a month of Sundays. What changed your mind?”
“Put me down first.” She laughed. “You’re making me dizzy.”
Before he set her on her feet, he held her close against him for a long moment, feeling the beat of her racing heart.
“My mother changed my mind. I knew she would tell me to stay. It’s time to draw a line in the sand.”
“And here I thought it was my strong powers of persuasion. I told you I had a gift.” Rand’s grin vanished. “It’s the right thing to do, the safest thing for you and Toby. I heard the boy’s screams during the night. Terror can play havoc with a person’s sleep.”
Callie nodded. “I want in on all of it. Don’t you dare shut me out. I need to know where every gun and knife is and how to use them.”
“Agreed, if it’ll help you relax. But let me do the worrying now. All right?”
The sound of horses and the creak of a wagon coming down the lane to the house reached his ears. “Callie, I don’t know who this is. Get behind me until I find out.”
She quickly did as he told her, pressing against his back. Rand sent a glance toward the tepee, willing Toby to stay put.
As the wagon rounded the side of the house, Rand relaxed. “It’s all right. It’s Cooper and his wife, Delta.”
“Whoa.” Cooper stopped and set the brake. He jumped down and helped Delta from the seat. It took some delicate maneuvering due to Delta being in the family way.
Cooper had told him the babe wasn’t supposed to arrive for about three more weeks, but from the look of things, Delta might not make it.
Rand didn’t miss how Cooper’s hands lingered on his wife, lovingly brushing her large stomach before he paid them any notice.
After the introductions, Rand turned to Cooper. “Did you catch Nate Fleming?”
“Not yet.” Cooper shoved his hat back from his forehead. “That’s one of the reasons I drove out.”
“Besides, I thought it was time I paid a visit and met Callie,” Delta said, taking her husband’s hand. “Don’t forget it was my idea to come, dear.”
“How could I forget, darlin’—you’ve been badgering me for days.” The love in Cooper’s dark eyes when he looked at Delta belied his gruff tone.
His brother was a very lucky man. Deep love radiated from both their faces. Rand always got kind of misty-eyed around them, listening to them calling each other darlin’ and dear. He was starting to see that maybe he shouldn’t fight so hard against making a life with someone. His gaze sought Callie’s. If only he could be sure she wouldn’t abandon him and take his heart with her in the end…
“I need to ask Miss Callie a few more questions.” Cooper turned to her. “Do you mind?”
“Not as long as Toby stays out of earshot,” Callie replied. “He had upsetting dreams all night.” She explained Nate’s true relationship to Toby and her.
“Would Fleming have a hideout around here, someplace near where he could stay out of sight?”
“I don’t think so. His main stomping grounds are in Missouri and Kansas. Before now, I’ve never known of him to travel to Texas, although I’m certainly no expert on Nate Fleming’s comings and goings.”
“Maybe he lit out, decided things were too hot in Battle Creek.” Distracted, Cooper’s gaze followed Delta as she lumbered toward the back steps to the house.
Rand noticed that his brother didn’t pay them any mind until Delta had lowered herself to the top step.
“You’re wrong, Sheriff—Nate Fleming doesn’t run scared. He’s right here. He won’t leave until he gets his hands on Toby. Don’t ever underestimate him. And please be careful. He has a preference for shooting men in the back. Especially lawmen,” Callie ended, her voice fading to a hushed stillness.
“She’s decided to make her stand here at the ranch, Coop,” Rand said. “We may need your and Brett’s help.”
“You can count on it.”
Rand kept his arm around Callie’s waist as Cooper asked more questions in an effort to learn all he could about this outlaw in their midst. Her pale face became pinched and drawn as she gave them as much information as she could. From the picture she presented, Rand knew they hadn’t ever seen a man as ruthless and cruel as Nate Fleming. Finally, Rand halted the questions.
“Callie, why don’t you and Delta have some hot tea and a nice talk?” Rand suggested. “Coop and I will finish up the barn.”
After Cooper helped Delta into the house, the men busied themselves sawing and hammering with some talking worked in.
They spoke more about Fleming, then Cooper abruptly changed the subject. “Rand, you remember Emily? She married one of my ranch hands, Joe Winters.”
“Of course I do. She worked at the Three Roses Café. I recall she had a baby a few months ago. A shame about Joe getting killed in that accident. What about her?” Joe had been a real likable fellow and had worn his Indian heritage proudly. Two thousand pounds of bull crushed him right before the baby was born. He never got to see his daughter. Rand couldn’t think of anything sadder.
“The doctor told her to start settling her affairs. She only has a few days to live. Doc says she has a tumor growing in her brain and it’s already stolen her vision. Already, she can’t care for her three-month-old. She asked me and Delta to take little Wren and raise her.”
“And are you?”
“Can’t. With Delta giving birth to twins—”
“Twins?” Rand grinned and gave a whoop.
“Yep. Gonna be two of the little rascals. Can you imagine?”
“Not even for a second. I should’ve known Delta would find some way to be different. Congratulations, big brother. If I had something, we’d celebrate with a snort.”
“Thanks. Sure takes some getting used to. Sometimes I lie awake at night and try to picture myself as a daddy. Anyway, we can’t take on the care of three babies. I won’t let Delta shoulder that load.”
“I’m sure Emily will find someone.”
“No one she trusts has stepped up so far. Most folks have trouble accepting a half-Indian baby. If Emily doesn’t find Wren a home, the babe will have to go to the orphanage.” Cooper drove a nail into the wood with one powerful blow. “You know what that can be like.”
Memories of the place where he spent years of his young life crossed Rand’s vision. The poor food, the darkness, the whippings…the cellar. He shivered. No matter what, he’d see Wren would not have to face that nightmare.
“I’d take her, but I doubt Emily would want a bachelor raising her daughter.”
“You could get married.”
“Yeah? And just how would I do that, Mr. Big Brother Sheriff? Going to wave your magic wand and make me a different person? You’re not a magician.”
“Don’t have to get so damn dramatic about it, or so bullheaded either.” Cooper grinned. “I see how you act around Callie, how you look at her when you think no one is paying attention.”
“You know why I can’t ask her,” Rand snapped. “Everyone except you and Brett always leaves. Remember Jolene, my first love? And Beth, my second? And Patrick, my closest friend, who left the saloon one night with my money and didn’t bother coming back? Not to mention my mother, who couldn’t remember she had a child. And then there’s another list of the ones who upped and died on me.”
“I remember. It was Brett and I who picked up the pieces and put you back together,” Cooper said quietly.
“Then what in God’s name do you expect? Just last night, Callie told me she’s leaving. I argued against it and some of what I said must’ve sunk in, because just before you came she told me she was going to make a stand here and fight. But once we remove the threat, she’ll be gone. She’ll walk out just like all the rest have. My heart can’t take another blow. It hurts too much.”
“Nothing in life is guaranteed. If you want to live, really live, you have to take a chance. I did and I’m not sorry. I can’t imagine my life without Delta. She adores me.” Cooper waggled his eyebrows comically.
“I’m not you. Have you forgotten our talks over the years?”
“Nope. Only thing I seem to have forgotten is how god-awful stubborn you are.” Biscuit came from the tepee, stretching and yawning. Cooper knelt down to rub her belly. “Wren needs a home, a family, not some stinking orphanage.”
Rand wrinkled his brow in thought. Cooper was right. But Callie wasn’t going to stick around. She’d said so plain as day.
She would soon walk out of his life and take his heart with her. There was nothing he could say or do to stop her.
* * *
Callie poured the tea and set out a small tin of cookies she’d made. “Rand never told me you were in the family way. When is your baby due?”
“Babies. We’re having twins. They’re due to arrive in three more weeks—that is, if I can make it.”
“Oh how wonderful! You must be so happy. I was a twin. Claire and I were inseparable. Drove our mother crazy.”
“I’m a little frightened of giving birth, but Doc will be there to he
lp me.”
She should be frightened, Callie thought. Callie had been in Delta’s position once, years ago. She would never go through that again. She couldn’t.
“Do you have names picked out?”
“Afraid not. Cooper and I can’t agree. His choices are Henry and Henrietta, George and Georgia, Max and Maxine. These are the best. The other suggestions I won’t repeat. I know he’s just saying this to get a rise out of me after I told him no matching names. Besides, we could have two boys or two girls, not one of each. I like Claire and Callie though. Very pretty.”
“Thank you. Claire succumbed to a mysterious illness, so it’s been especially difficult. I kind of feel adrift now, like a ship without a rudder.”
“I’m so sorry,” Delta murmured and touched her arm. “I was an only child, so I’ve been alone my whole life. I always wanted a sister, someone to share secrets with.”
“I don’t know how I’d have made it without Claire. I just hated it when she married Nate Fleming. I warned her how dangerous he was. She didn’t see the monster she married until it was too late. He made sure she couldn’t seek help. On her deathbed, she begged me to take Toby and run. I didn’t hesitate.”
“I’m sure you love Toby like your own son. He’s lucky to have you.” Then Delta told her about Emily Winters, a young widow who was dying, and how she was frantically searching for someone to take her baby daughter and raise her.
“That’s heartbreaking,” Callie exclaimed, clapping her hand over her mouth. “I wish there was something I could do.”
“Actually, maybe you can. How about you and Rand taking the baby?”
“Raise a child together, two unmarried people? That would not be an ideal situation for Emily’s daughter. Besides, I will leave once Nate is caught.”
