by Linda Broday
When the ropes fell from Callie’s wrists, she laid a hand on Emmett’s arm. “I won’t forget this. Thank you.”
He nodded and moved to free Mariah, then turned to Callie. “Go and don’t look back.”
* * *
As Rand launched himself at Nate, they went tumbling. The jarring landing knocked Rand’s Colt from his hand and sent mind-numbing pain through his bandaged shoulder. He gritted his teeth and slammed his fist into Nate’s jaw. The resounding crack was satisfying. Several more blows connected with the outlaw’s face.
Nate reached for a handful of dirt and threw it into Rand’s eyes. Though temporarily blinded, Rand didn’t loosen his hold. His fingers dug into Nate’s shoulder and held on with every bit of strength he had.
The deadly battle in which they were locked took another turn when the outlaw threw him onto the ground and crawled on his chest. Nate Fleming’s hands went around Rand’s throat and tightened, squeezing his windpipe.
Unable to breathe and seeing the black edges of consciousness closing around him, he felt along the ground for a weapon of some sort. Reaching fingers located a good-sized rock.
He swung it, connecting with the back of Fleming’s head, breaking his hold.
But when he jerked the man to his feet, he felt the hard tip of Fleming’s gun pressed to his chest.
Fleming grinned. “Never bet against me. You lose, Sinclair.”
The murdering scum had him. One second more and Rand’s life would be over. He closed his eyes and pictured Callie’s beautiful face. If he was going to die, he wanted his last thought to be of her.
“Drop the gun, Nate,” Callie ordered harshly.
Rand opened his eyes to see Callie holding a pistol to Nate’s head. Rope dangled from her wrists.
“I don’t think so,” Nate answered. “I like my chances. Bet I can put a bullet in this husband of yours before you can fire.”
“You might want to reconsider,” Callie replied. “You’re surrounded and your brother Emmett has already given up. He doesn’t have the stomach for killing like you do.”
Keeping his gun on Rand, Nate spoke slowly. “I won’t hang.”
“Your choice.” Callie’s voice was hard and tight.
Fleming’s black eyes met Rand’s, and in that instant, he knew the outlaw was going to pull the trigger.
With no time to spare, Rand grabbed the gun and swung it away the moment the cartridge shot from the end. The deadly piece of metal went harmlessly into the trees while the gun that had nearly made Callie a widow fell to the dirt.
Fleming turned and bolted into the woods. Rand quickly gave chase. He wasn’t going to lose Fleming this time. He followed the racket of snapping branches and crushed vegetation until he could see the tall, black-clothed figure ahead.
Higher and higher they climbed along the bluff that overlooked one side of the lake.
At last Rand emerged on a ledge. Caught without his weapon, Fleming’s eyes widened as he licked his dry mouth. Rand had cornered the animal at last. “There’s only one thing to do—give yourself up.”
“No.” Nate glanced over the side of the ledge to the water below.
“It’s a long way down.”
“If I go down, I’ll take you with me, Sinclair.”
Sizing up the outlaw, Rand moved closer, ready for this fight. His gut told him only one would walk away. He shoved all his chips to the center of the table.
Few had ever beaten him when he was in a betting mood.
Rand rushed him. They hit the narrow ledge hard. His harsh breath came in gasping heaves as he attempted to pin Nate to the rocky ledge. Blood from Rand’s shoulder, torn open during the fight, had soaked his shirt, but he had no time to worry about it. Praying for a little more strength, he managed to throw his legs around Nate’s body. He couldn’t hold him. Nate rolled, and suddenly Rand found himself beneath him.
The outlaw’s hands closed around Rand’s throat like a vise, squeezing tighter and tighter. His lungs screamed with the need to inhale. With blackness closing around him, Rand jabbed his fingers into Nate’s eyes, breaking the hold.
Struggling for air, Rand pushed away and quickly got up. But he couldn’t do more than cling to the limestone wall.
Nate seemed done for also as he stumbled to his feet. Unable to see, he had his hands out, groping. He stood right on the edge of the rock shelf. One step backward and the man would fall to his death.
Rand stood frozen. “Don’t move, Fleming. There’s nothing but air behind you. It’s over.”
Though he was blinded, Nate smiled. “You don’t have me yet, sodbuster.” He lunged for Rand and jerked him toward the edge.
Breathing hard and fighting the pain in his shoulder, Rand felt his strength ebbing. This day had taken everything he had. He’d given his all, but it hadn’t been enough. His feet were on the lip of the precipice, with his heels extending over the edge. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Despair filled him because he knew he’d reached the end. He wouldn’t see Callie again. Mind-numbing pain shot through his chest as his grip on Nate slipped.
His adversary must’ve sensed his waning strength. With one last punishing blow, Fleming sent him over the side.
Desperately fighting for purchase, Rand’s feet scraped the rock wall as he managed to grab a protruding rock at the last second. Hanging suspended, Rand didn’t know how long he’d have before his jerking arms gave out. He glanced down. It was a long way to the bottom. He wouldn’t survive the fall.
Glancing up, he saw Fleming standing, peering over the edge. The man’s gloating grin, his hard eyes, gave Rand the strength he needed. He couldn’t let the man win. He wouldn’t let him walk away after all he’d done to Callie and the children. He’d made a promise.
In a last ditch effort, Rand transferred his body weight to one hand, reached for the man’s boot, and with a loud grunt, yanked.
Nate Fleming, who had brought so much pain to so many people, plunged over the side to the jagged rocks below.
Deafening silence followed as Rand pulled himself back onto the rock shelf and collapsed in a quivering mass of muscle and bone.
It was over.
Time drifted as Rand learned to breathe again. Then Cooper and Brett were lifting him to his feet. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he went to the edge and looked down. Fleming lay twisted and broken on the sharp limestone.
The man had died as violently as he’d lived. Yet Rand took no joy from the death. Immense sadness filled him for the man who’d always made the wrong choices.
Brett laid a hand on his back. “Let’s go home.”
His brothers helped him down to where Callie waited. Rand swept her up into his arms when she ran to meet him and told her Nate Fleming had met his end. The man couldn’t harm her or Toby or Mariah ever again.
“I love you, Rand. We’re finally free of him. You saved me and Mariah. There were times I didn’t know if we’d make it to the next moment.”
He winced as she gently kissed his bruised mouth. “I didn’t know either, darlin’. But we made it.”
“Are you angry with me for leaving you and the children?”
“Nope. I understand the reasons why you left. How is Mariah? Is she all right?”
A shadow crossed Callie’s eyes. “She will be over time.”
“That’s all we can ask. We’ll shower her with love, and the memories will fade.” He set her on her feet. “I have a feeling Toby will help a lot. I’m sure he’ll have her playing in his tepee in nothing flat and telling her they have to take care of Wren.”
She sighed and leaned against him. “I feel as if a huge fire has passed through and left charred remains everywhere. But underneath the soot and ash is good, strong land that the fire couldn’t touch. We have so much to be grateful for, Rand. Nothing can destroy what we have.”
His hea
rt couldn’t contain the joy that burst from it. She was right. They had everything they needed, and nothing could take it. Ignoring the pain, he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that made the heat pool low in his belly.
“I can’t wait to get you home, Mrs. Sinclair.”
Thirty-three
Surrounded by the beautiful water of Brushy Lake, Callie felt Mariah pressing against her, clutching her dress. She put her arms around her daughter’s thin shoulders. “I want you to meet someone who’s very, very special. Rand, this is my daughter, my Mariah.”
Rand started to shake her hand, but when she moved in for a hug, his arms encircled her. “Young lady, I’m extremely happy to meet you. Our home is yours.”
The girl’s forehead wrinkled as she studied him. The timid smile that curved her mouth reflected her approval. “What do I call you?”
“Whatever you want. How about starting with Papa Rand?”
She twisted the hold she had on Callie’s dress. “I’d like that. I never had a papa before. I never had anyone who wanted me, except maybe old Nellie Solomon. But she didn’t have a choice.”
“Whoever Nellie is, we owe her for taking care of you. And make no mistake, your mama and I want you very badly.” He kissed her bruised and bloody cheek. Taking off his coat, he wrapped it around her. “This’ll warm you right up.”
Callie no longer had a shred of a doubt about Rand’s acceptance. He’d already taken her lost Mariah into his heart and planted her right next to Toby and Wren in the garden of family he’d tilled and cultivated.
“Thank you, Rand,” Callie said, putting her arm through his. “The size of your heart never ceases to amaze me.”
“Gotta take care of my girls.” He winked. “And my son. Ready to go home?”
“I mean to tend to your shoulder and see what new damage you did to it. You’re bleeding something awful.”
Her gaze lit on Emmett, who stood next to the horses with his hands bound. He stared sadly at Virgil’s body, which lay at his feet, yet he seemed relieved. She owed Emmett Fleming. Out of all his brothers, he was the only one with a conscience. Without his help, things would’ve been a lot worse.
“Give me just a minute.” She stepped toward the man who’d shown the size of his heart and hugged him. “Thank you for all you did. I owe you a great debt. When you go to trial, I’ll ask the judge to grant leniency.”
Emmett glanced down. “It’s more than I deserve. I’m glad I could help right a few of the wrongs Nate did. Take care of that little girl. And my nephew.”
“I will.” Callie glanced toward Mariah. Her daughter’s hand was clutching Rand’s, and though her smile was slight, it was there. “You can be assured of that.”
* * *
The sun was high in the sky by the time Callie washed Rand’s wounded shoulder with lake water and re-bandaged it. Some of Cooper’s men had retrieved Nate’s body and were tying it to a horse.
Brett was standing with Rand and her when Tom Mason came over. Callie and Rand moved closer, and when Cooper joined them, they created a circle around Brett.
“You’re a difficult man to find,” Mason said, offering his hand. “I’m—”
“Tom Mason. I know.” Brett stared at the gesture of friendship a long moment before he briefly touched the man’s hand. “Why are you looking for me? I’ve never laid eyes on you.”
Mason’s nervous gaze swept the protective shield around Brett. “Though I used to be a Pinkerton, I now locate things people have lost. I was hired to find you.”
“By who?” Rand ordered.
“His sister. She hired me to locate her brother.”
“You’ve mistaken me for someone else,” Brett said in a tight voice. “I have no sister, no kin, no one except my brothers.”
Watching the tall, proud Indian struggle against the hope that Mason might be right made Callie’s chest ache. He couldn’t allow himself to believe, because it was easier than facing the devastating pain if the news turned out to be untrue. She’d seen Rand face a similar dilemma. Her heart broke for these brothers who had made their own family when they had none. But despite all the odds stacked against them, they’d grown into big, strong men.
Cooper spoke up. “He’ll need to see proof. I trust you have some.”
“I do.” Mason pulled an envelope from inside his vest. “Her name is Sarah. She wrote a letter in addition to sending the record of your birth.”
“For your sake, you better hope this is true,” Rand said, putting a hand on Brett’s shoulder as he took the envelope.
Tom Mason smiled. “I’m very good at what I do. I assure you there has been no mistake. Sarah Woodbridge is his sister, and she is anxious to come and meet him.”
Callie touched Brett’s arm. “Sarah could be a lovely woman, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want to miss the answers she may provide. Your life is about to change.”
When Brett lifted his eyes to hers, she saw a glimmer of tears, and her heart broke.
He folded the envelope and tucked it into his shirt. “I’ll look at this in my own time.”
“Let’s go home,” Cooper said in his deep voice. “We’re burning daylight. Rand, can I have a word?”
The two brothers moved away, and Callie saw Cooper hand Rand something.
Then everyone turned to their horses. Callie accepted a hand up onto Blue. She looked forward to the slow ride back to the ranch, sitting in front of her husband. She never wanted to be away from him again. He was her rock, the one who grounded her, the one who slayed demons. Nothing held meaning without him beside her.
The leather creaked as he threw his long leg over the roan’s back and settled into the saddle. When his hand slid around her waist, she leaned against the solid wall of his chest and breathed the scent of the wild Texas land that was their home.
“Mama, I love you. Thank you for coming for me,” Mariah called from where she sat with Brett on his beautiful mustang.
Hearing her daughter call her Mama for the first time brought a lump to her throat, making it difficult to speak. Swallowing hard, she called back, “I love you too, sweetheart.”
Her life wasn’t in the gloaming any longer. She walked in golden sunshine, and when the night shadows came and the wind shook the trees, she would have no fear.
They’d gone about a mile when she saw a rider ahead, coming fast. When he drew up beside them, she recognized the man as one of Cooper’s ranch hands.
“Gotta find Boss. Hope you can tell me where he is.”
“What’s wrong?” Rand asked. Callie could feel the tension in his body. Even tired and injured, he was ready to help.
“Miss Delta is having the babies. I was told to find Boss.”
“That’s great news.” Rand told the cowboy that Cooper was at Brushy Lake, and the ranch hand galloped off without wasting any more time on conversation.
“Coop’s going to be a father,” Rand said, grinning.
Callie sighed and kissed him. “I’m so happy for them. Looks like our families are growing by leaps and bounds.”
“I’m such a fool. I spent all these years convincing myself that I was happy being a bachelor, that it was the only way to keep everything locked inside. Thank goodness you found a key that could open my heart.”
Happiness washed over her like waves on a seashore. “You found one for mine too. Maybe that’s what loving someone is about. Finding and keeping keys for each other. We make a good team, sweetheart.”
* * *
A flurry of activity began when they rode up to the house a little while later. While Callie gave Mariah a bath and found her something clean to wear, Rand collected Toby and little Wren. His family was finally all together and safe. And as families who loved each other did, everyone helped him pick up the wreckage from the kitchen and nail boards over the broken windows.
Then, as the p
urple shadows settled over the land, they sat around the table eating the best meal Rand had ever had. Maybe it was because of all the thankfulness in his heart. He made sure to give each child a measure of loving attention as they ate.
He had a special kind of attention planned for his wife after the house grew still and the little ones were in dreamland.
After he helped Callie make quick work of the kitchen, he relaxed in the parlor, surrounded by his beautiful family. Watching three of the best children he could ask for and a wife who stirred a fire inside, he knew without a doubt he was the richest man on earth.
The terror of the morning seemed far away.
Mariah and Toby played with the baby on a quilt on the floor. From the minute Toby asked Mariah if she’d like to see his tepee, they’d been as thick as thieves. The girl fit in as though she’d always been there, even helping her mother with the supper dishes.
Questions about where she’d been all this time swarmed in his head like pesky flies. Shortly after they’d gotten back, Callie had taken Mariah aside for a talk. He assumed Callie had learned some things. He couldn’t wait to find out.
The gentle squeak of the rocking chair drew Rand’s attention. His eyes met the smoldering passion in Callie’s gaze. His shy wife winked at him and he had no trouble reading her mind. Thank goodness it was about bedtime. He didn’t know how much more torture he could take.
Finally, they put the baby in her crib upstairs, and Callie tucked Mariah and Toby into bed. He came to join her after finishing up a surprise he had planned for his beautiful wife.
They stood in the doorway for a moment, drinking in the sight. Peace rippled along Rand’s tall frame. Curling his fingers around Callie’s, he led her across the hall to their place of refuge. Lighting the lamp, he pulled her into his arms. “I’m going to kiss you senseless, darlin’. You might as well get ready.”
“I was born ready, Mr. Sinclair.” She melted against him and parted her lips slightly for his kiss.
Making good on his promise sparked the smoldering embers that were always just beneath the surface, but Rand wasn’t ready for the pleasurable task of putting out the blaze. Not yet. He had lots more planned first. He swept her into his arms and carried her to the kitchen for the little surprise he’d prepared.
