Hunter's Moon (Hunter Family Saga; Half-Moon Ranch 1)

by Bobbi Smith

  Crystal wanted it to be the last time, too, but the horror that was her past still haunted her. She wrapped her arms around Brent and clung to him.

  Brent was her power and her strength. He loved her. He was going to marry her.

  And she wanted that. Oh, how she wanted that.

  But could she marry him without telling him the complete and awful truth about her life?

  Crystal knew the answer. She loved Brent too much to try to deceive him. She had to be honest with him. She knew how he felt about what his father had done and how that tragedy had torn apart his family. For that very reason, she couldn't put her child's future at risk. She had to be sure their baby would have a secure, loving home.

  But what if she told him, and he wanted nothing more to do with her?

  The uncertainty of her future brought tears to Crystal's eyes. She struggled for control as she prepared herself to speak.

  "You're crying?" Brent asked, worried when he drew away from her and saw her tears.

  Crystal nodded and drew a ragged breath. "There's something more I have to tell you."

  He stared down at her, studying her tortured expression and trying to imagine what could upset her so badly. He wanted to reassure her. "I love you, Crystal. Whatever it is, it doesn't matter."

  "Yes, it does matter!" she choked out. "You have to hear me out. I won't marry you until I've told you....

  Crystal moved away from him, needing to put some distance between them as she made her confession.

  Brent remained standing where he was, watching her and waiting for her to go on.

  "Told me what?" he asked quietly, knowing from the way she was acting that what was troubling her was serious.

  "You have to know that I haven't always been just a singer when I worked in saloons," Crystal began slowly.

  "I know you're no saloon girl." Brent frowned slightly, confused by her distress. She had given him her innocence, after all.

  "Please..." She paused, then began again. "My real name is Crystal Stewart-Morgan is my middle name. I didn't tell you the truth when I said I had no family. My parents are dead-they died when I was young-but I do have an older brother named Dan."

  Brent was surprised that she hadn't acknowledged her brother, but he believed it didn't realty matter.

  "Dan's a gambler, and I used to work with him as his shill, helping him cheat people at cards," Crystal admitted.

  "You cheated people? Why?"

  "Dan made me do it. He said it was the only way we could make money and support ourselves. It was all I knew. But I know that's no excuse. It was wrong, and I told Dan the last night we were together that I was quitting-that I couldn't do it anymore.

  "I'm proud of you," Brent assured her.

  "But Brent... She started to say more, to tell him everything, but she hesitated, afraid. Brent was being so kind and so understanding. She wondered if he would feel the same way after she told him the rest.

  "What is it, Crystal?" Brent urged.

  "Brent, I killed a man," Crystal finally blurted out the horrible truth. "That's why I've been using different names. That's why I keep moving on-the law is after me."

  Brent went still as he tried to come to grips with what she'd just told him. He couldn't believe this was happening to him again. First his father, and now the woman he loved.

  Could Crystal really have killed someone?

  It didn't seem possible.

  She had gone silent and was watching him closely, trying to judge his reaction to what she'd revealed.

  "Crystal," Brent began slowly, seeing the torment in her expression. "Tell me what happened. I know you. I love you. I don't believe you could kill anyone.

  "I did-it was horrible! Dan and I had been working a saloon in Long Horn one night, and he lost a lot of money in a poker game to a man named John Hall. I was worried because Dan didn't have any money to pay him. I went on up to my room, thinking Dan would figure out a way to take care of the problem. Later that night, I woke up to find Hall in my room. He told me Dan had sent him to me and said I was supposed to work off what he owed him. He wanted me to..." Crystal went pale as the memory of that terrible night returned full force. She swallowed tightly as her gaze met Brent's. "I couldn't let him touch me." She shuddered visibly at the memory of Hall's hands upon her. "I fought him off as best I could. He hit me, but I kept struggling. I managed to grab a lamp from the bedside table and I hit him over the head with it. That was what killed him."

  If her brother had been there with them at that moment, Brent would have beaten the man within an inch of his life. He thought of Abby, of her youth and innocence, and he couldn't imagine treating a little sister the way Dan had treated Crystal. As a big brother and a guardian, it had been Dan's responsibility to protect Crystal and make life good for her-not use her in gambling schemes and then turn her into a whore to pay back his debts. Brent put his arms around Crystal. He could feel her trembling and wanted only to calm her and let her know she was safe with him.

  "I'm proud of you, Crystal."

  "You're proud of me?"

  "I'm glad you defended yourself. You had the right to fight that man off," Brent said. "That was self-defense-not murder."

  "But Hall was dead."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes. The lamp shattered when I hit him. He collapsed and didn't move. There was blood and glass everywhere." She shuddered violently at the memory.

  "What did you do?"

  "What could I do? I couldn't go to Dan-he'd betrayed me. I ran away that night, and I've been running ever since."

  You should have gone to the law."

  "It wouldn't have mattered. Hall was one of the town's `upstanding' citizens. I worked in the saloon. No one would have believed me."

  Brent held Crystal away from him and looked down at her. When he spoke, he spoke quietly but with no hesitation. "I believe you."

  Crystal's breath caught in her throat as she gazed up at him in wonder. "You do?"

  "Yes, I do."

  She went into the safe harbor of his arms, clinging to his strength. She had been on her own for so long, alone and frightened, but now she had Brent.

  She had feared he would reject her. She had been terrified that he would walk away from her, that he would despise her for what she'd done. But he believed her.

  "Thank you," she whispered, her tears dampening his shirt. It felt so good to have told him the truth. She had kept her terrible secret locked deep within her for so long, it was a relief to have shared it. with him.

  Brent stood there, holding Crystal in his arms for a moment longer; then he lifted her chin with one hand to look in her eyes. "Are you ready?"

  "For what?" she asked in a whisper.

  "To go see Reverend Crawford."

  "You still want to marry me?"

  "Yes, I still want to marry you. I love you, Crystal. Somehow we'll find a way to work this outtogether."

  Without another word, Crystal drew Brent down to her for a cherishing kiss. There was no greater joy in her life than loving Brent.

  Brent kissed Crystal one last time and then they left the hotel room. As Brent locked the door behind them, he realized that when they came back he would be carrying her over the threshold again-as his bride.

  They stopped at the boardinghouse so Crystal could change clothes. He had told her he would marry her no matter what she was wearing, but she wanted to look her best for him. Since it was after dark, Brent waited outside while she went in.

  Anne was surprised to hear Ruby returning so much earlier than usual. Usually the young woman didn't return until long after midnight.

  "Ruby? Is everything all right?" she asked as she knocked lightly at her bedroom door.

  The knock at the door startled Crystal, but she quickly answered it.

  "Anne! Yes, everything is fine," Crystal told her. "In fact, everything is wonderful!"

  "I don't understand." Anne had never seen her so happy before.

  "Brent and I are ge
tting married-now, tonight!"

  "Oh, darling, I am so happy for you! Brent is a wonderful man! You'll be so happy together."

  "Yes, we will," she agreed.

  "Can I help you? Is there anything I can do?"

  "No, I'm just going to change my clothes. He's waiting outside for me."

  "Well, if you need anything, you just let me know."

  "I will."

  Anne couldn't resist giving her a warm hug. "I'm so glad you've found your happiness."

  "Thank you."

  Crystal closed the bedroom door and went back to the armoire to look through her dresses. Her choices weren't many. She still had her widow's dress, and the thought of wearing it made her smile. Though it was demure and it did have a veil, the heavy black gown certainly wasn't appropriate for this joyous occasion. Crystal took out a day gown and set about changing.

  When she'd finished dressing, Crystal went to check her appearance in the mirror.

  Her heart swelled with joyous emotion. Soon she would be married to the man she loved. Soon she would be Mrs. Brent Hunter.

  Crystal was ready to begin her new life. She would no longer be alone in the world. She had Brent now-Brent, who knew everything about her and still loved her.

  She left her room and descended the stairs. She found Anne waiting for her in the parlor with Brent.

  "There was no point in letting your handsome fiance wait for you outside," Anne told her when she appeared in the doorway.

  Brent looked up at her. She was wearing the same dress she'd worn to church, but he knew he wouldn't have thought her lovelier if she had been wearing a bridal gown. To him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He stood up to go to her.

  "Are you ready?" he asked.

  "Yes." There was no hesitation. This was her dream come true.

  "Do you have a ring?" Anne asked, wanting to make sure everything was perfect for them. She thought their elopement was so romantic.

  Brent hadn't thought about a ring. "No. I don't."

  "It doesn't matter," Crystal said.

  "Yes, it does. Wait just a minute." Anne went into her own bedroom. She came back out a few moments later with a simple gold band. "Here. See if this will fit you."

  Crystal slipped the ring easily on her finger. "It's perfect."

  "Then it s yours."

  "Oh, no, I couldn't take it," Crystal said.

  "Let me pay you for it," Brent offered.

  "No. It's my wedding gift to you. It was left to me by an aunt years ago. I want you to have it."

  "You're sure?" Crystal looked up at her, amazed by her generosity.

  "Oh, yes. I'm sure." She smiled.

  "Thanks, Anne," Brent said, eager to be on their way.

  "Oh! Wait! You can't go just yet. You need one more thing." Anne hurried out of the room, but returned quickly carrying a small bouquet of flowers from her garden. She offered them to Crystal. "No bride should be without her bouquet."

  "Oh, Anne, you are so dear. Thank you." Crystal was touched by her thoughtfulness as she gazed down at the fragrant blossoms. She hugged the other woman.

  "It's the least I can do for you. God bless you both. And Brent?"

  Brent looked at her.

  "You take good care of Ruby, you hear?"

  "I will," he promised.

  "I'll see you tomorrow, Anne," Crystal told her. She gave Brent the ring for safekeeping, and they left the house.

  Anne watched them until they were out of sight, then closed the door and sighed romantically over the happiness she knew they would find together. If ever she had seen a couple in love, it was Brent and Ruby. She wanted them to be happy forever.

  "Will Reverend Crawford mind our coming to him this late?" Crystal asked as they made their way through town.

  "I'll make it worth his while. You don't have to worry," Brent reassured her.

  She smiled brightly up at him as they hurried on. Roused from a sound sleep, Reverend Crawford looked suitably unkempt as he lit a lamp in the front hall of the parsonage. He had thrown on pants, a shirt, and shoes to be presentable, but he wasn't fully awake yet as he unlocked and opened the front door.

  "What is it, Brent? Has there been trouble?" he asked. He wondered why the pretty singer from the saloon was standing at his door.

  "No trouble, Reverend," Brent said. "We're just in need of your professional services tonight, that's all."

  Reverend Crawford frowned for a moment in confusion, then noticed the bouquet she was carrying.

  Brent spoke up, answering his unspoken question. "Yes, we want to get married."

  "Brent, this is wonderful. I thought I'd never see the day."

  "Neither did I, but Crystal changed my mind."

  "Crystal?" He had heard her name was Ruby.

  "Ruby's just my stage name," she explained quickly.

  He smiled warmly at her. "Well, Crystal, you're getting yourself a fine young man."

  "I know," she responded with a smile.

  "Come on in and close the door. I'll go get my wife so she can be your witness."

  The reverend went back into his private quarters, leaving them alone for a moment, and Brent took advantage of his absence by stealing a quick kiss.

  "I love you," Brent told her again, wanting to calm any fears or uncertainties she might be feeling.

  Crystal only smiled back up at him. Her spirits were soaring. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she was happy-honestly and truly happy. She was going to be Mrs. Brent Hunter.

  Reverend Crawford returned with his wife, Mary, who had been wakened from a sound sleep, but was nonetheless thrilled to be witnessing Brent's wedding. They all went into the small room the reverend used as his office. After lighting the lamps there, he got his Bible.

  "Do you have a ring?" Reverend Crawford asked.

  "Yes."

  "Now, let us begin," he intoned.

  Brent and Crystal stood enraptured as they pledged their love to each other before God.

  "Do you, Crystal, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, till death do you part?" Reverend Crawford asked.

  "I do," she answered clearly.

  "And you, Brent-do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, till death do you part?"

  "I do," Brent vowed.

  "The ring..."

  Brent slipped the band on Crystal's finger.

  "I now pronounce you man and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder," he said, concluding the ceremony. "You may kiss your bride."

  Brent did just that, as the reverend and his wife looked on.

  "Thank you, Reverend Crawford," Brent told him when he and Crystal moved apart.

  "It's our pleasure, Brent. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter," he said.

  Mrs. Hunter... For a moment, thoughts of his mother came to Brent. He remembered her love and her kindness, her warmth and her devotion to family. It saddened him that she would never know Crystal, but he knew she would have loved her, just as he did.

  Crystal noticed a subtle change in his expression. "Is something wrong?"

  He looked down at her. "No. Everything is fine."

  Brent gave the reverend a generous stipend for performing the ceremony. After bidding the reverend and his wife good night, he and Crystal left the parsonage.

  They moved off down the street, not speaking, simply enjoying the wonder of what had just passed.

  "Look," Crystal said, pointing up to the sky.

  There high above them in the star-studded night sky was a silver half moon.

  "Isn't it beautiful?" She sighed.

  "Yes, it is, but it's not as beautiful as you."

  There on the dark, deserted street, Brent took his wife in his arms and kissed her.

  "I love you, Mrs.
Hunter."

  They hurried on, eager to return to the hotel room, eager to be alone. When they reached the room, he unlocked the door and scooped her up in his arms.

  "I have to carry my bride over the doorstep."

  Brent carried her inside and laid her gently on the bed. He went back to close and lock the door.

  As Brent returned to Crystal's side, neither gave any thought to all that had passed earlier in the evening. There was only the pure beauty of their love. They were man and wife.

  Crystal welcomed him to her with open arms. She had never known a man like Brent before-a man who was strong, yet kind; powerful, yet gentle; fierce, yet loving. Brent was her dream. He was her love.

  They came together in a heated rush of desire. With eager kisses and caresses, they sought to arouse each other, to pleasure each other. They took little time stripping away their clothes. They wanted only to be one. When at last Brent moved over Crystal and made her his in all ways, their bliss was complete. The rapture of their rhythm quickly took them to heights of passion, and they crested together as ecstasy swept over them. They clung together, awed by the power of what had passed between them.

  "Now that we're married," Crystal began in a whisper as she pressed a soft kiss to Brent's throat, "does that mean we can stay right here forever?" She felt a shiver go through him at the touch of her lips and smiled. It pleased her to know she could arouse him so easily.

  "That sounds good to me," Brent said in a growl, rising up to claim her lips in a hungry kiss.

  The kiss was all it took to ignite the fire of their passion again. His hands traced paths of excitement over her silken flesh, exploring her soft, lush curves. Crystal responded to his touch with abandon. She willingly gave herself over to his ministrations, glorying in his possession. Again they came together, uniting their bodies and spirits. They were one being, one love, and would be-forever.

  The night passed far too quickly as they loved endlessly, celebrating the beauty of their union. Sleep finally claimed them just before dawn. They fell into an exhausted slumber, wrapped in each other's arms.