by Linda Broday
Roan had found that kind of love at last with Marley. Neither of them would have settled for less. “That’s good. I’m sure you’re both relieved.”
“Absolutely.” Duel brought his attention back to Roan. “She’s realizing that she’s been tired a long time, and she’s no spring chicken. Jessie spread herself too thin without even knowing it.” Duel paused. “I want to talk to you after we get back to the ranch. It’s important.”
“Sure thing.” Roan watched his father-in-law stride across the room to join his wife. What did he want? Maybe to lay down some rules? Must be what fathers normally did.
No need for those. Marley was already his queen, and he cherished her more than all the gold on earth. His love for her was the eternal kind. She was his star in the heavens, burning brightly and lighting the way.
Mrs. Harper had once told him that without stars, the world would be a very dark place.
That bore much truth. He knew he’d plunge into darkness if he ever lost his Texas Star. Marley was the love he’d been waiting for his whole life.
And she was now his wife forever and ever.
Until the end of time.
* * *
The Aces ’n’ Eights compound had filled with wagons and buggies of all descriptions. Roan handed Marley down from the buckboard, then reached for Matt. Following the ceremony, they’d taken a drive to look at two different parcels of property. Now that they were a family, they’d be needing land of their own. He’d thought of asking Duel if he’d be willing to sell part of the ranch but backed out. He knew his father-in-law was looking to enlarge, not shrink, his acreage. Only the land they’d looked at was too rich for Roan’s blood.
Marley stretched up to kiss his cheek. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep looking.”
“Yes, we will.” He watched Matt scamper off to play with a group of kids.
“You met Papa’s brother, Luke, and his wife at the wedding, but come and let me introduce you properly. Aunt Glory used to be completely blind, but Mama said she’d gotten an operation and can now see shapes and people’s faces. I’m so happy for her.”
Roan cast a longing glance at their small house and sighed. He just wanted to be alone with Marley, but now they had all these people here. Maybe they could sneak away in a bit.
As they strolled toward the main house, Luke McClain came toward them with a very beautiful woman. Luke was the spitting image of Duel, except for a little difference in height and the longer way he wore his hair. Sunlight bounced off his wife’s golden hair, and she wore a wide smile. Roan never would’ve known that she couldn’t see.
Marley made the introductions, then said, “Aunt Glory, we need to celebrate your victory. I’m tickled to death that you can see, even if it’s only partially. How was it after the bandages came off?”
Glory McClain’s laughter bubbled. “I can’t begin to describe how amazing and wonderful that was. After eighteen years, I had forgotten what a handsome man my husband is.”
Luke kissed her cheek. “I think she imagined I had grown warts or had taken to pulling my pants up to my neck and wearing suspenders. Thank goodness I’d shaved and put on clean clothes for once.”
“Oh you!” Marley hugged him. “It’s great to see you both and to have arrived with such exciting news. I was so pleased to see you at the church.”
“Roan, do you think you’ll be able to handle this feisty woman?” Luke asked.
“I don’t know. She might get the best of me if I’m not on my toes.” Roan watched the gathering, but he really only had eyes for Marley, admiring her happy flush. It thrilled him to know that he had put the color there. After her ordeal the previous week, he wouldn’t have taken bets that she would recover so fast.
“We both wanted to be here. You’re a special young lady,” Glory said. “And what a handsome husband you’ve gotten, my dear. You make a lovely couple.”
Marley slipped her arm through Roan’s and gazed up into his eyes, love written on her face. “I’m extremely lucky to have found him.”
Duel emerged from the house. “Roan, want to ride with me? You too, Marley.”
“Sure.” After excusing themselves, Roan and Marley fell into step with Duel. Maybe now he’d find out what his father-in-law wanted.
They saddled up, and the three of them soon galloped across the pastureland, Shadow loving the unexpected exercise. In no time, they had passed the boundary line, ridden onto the next parcel and into a little valley that had a sparkling stream running through it. They reined up at the water’s edge and dismounted.
“Papa, what are we doing trespassing on someone else’s land?” Marley asked.
Duel pushed back his hat. “I bought it, changed over the deed yesterday.” He waved his arm across it. “This now belongs to you. It’s a wedding gift from your mother and me.”
Marley hugged him, crying, but Roan could only stare in disbelief. This was his and Marley’s? Their own land? How was it possible?
“I don’t know what to say,” Roan managed past the lump that blocked his throat. He blinked hard. “Thank you. You don’t know what this means.” He clasped Duel’s hand and pulled Marley against him.
“It’s only a hundred and fifty acres, but it’s a good start for you both.” Duel stared toward a windmill turning lazily in the breeze. “It’s good land with fresh water and plenty of vegetation.” He motioned to the windmill. “We can start on building a house right over there—unless you have other plans.”
A mist filled Roan’s eyes. He squatted down to pick up a handful of rich soil, letting it fall through his fingers. His voice was husky. “I’m home. I’m finally home, Marley.”
She knelt and put her arms around him. “And I’ll be right here beside you every step.”
What had been the odds of something like this ever happening to him? Everything they’d gone through to find this pot of gold at the end of the rainbow had been worth it.
The scent of roses swirled around his head as he finished the kiss he’d started in church. The loud roar in his ears blocked the sound of Duel riding off.
Finding themselves alone, Roan laid Marley down on a soft cushion of winter grass and slowly stripped her wedding gown from her body. He caressed the length of her shapely legs, brushed his hand over the satiny skin of her raised hip, across her flat stomach. Bending, he pressed his lips to the inside of her thighs.
Only then did he allow his touch to slide up her luscious body to her breasts, kneading the soft mounds and taking them into his mouth.
She trembled, reaching for him. “Take off your clothes. I want to see you, touch you.”
He unbuckled his gun belt and removed his boots, his eyes never leaving hers.
“More,” she said when he tried to lie down next to her.
Captivated by the sight of her naked curves, he had trouble getting his shirt off and finally pulled the blasted thing over his head.
“Keep going.” The afternoon light danced in Marley’s eyes.
The hunger on her face told him to hurry. One button released, and his trousers slid down to his ankles. He kicked them off.
Marley clapped. “You’re such a tease, Roan Penny. That sinful smile makes me wonder if all the female population in Texas is either blind or crazy to have let you get away. I’m a very lucky woman.”
Flustered and a little embarrassed, he quickly shed the rest of his clothing and dropped beside her. Marley massaged his chest with her palm and licked his brown nipples. Heat rose fast and sure, engorging his throbbing length.
“I want you, Marley Rose Penny. My wife. My love.” The words came out raspy and rough with need.
He rolled on top of her, his weight flattening her breasts, the hard pebbles of her nipples pressing against the wall of his chest.
Her doe eyes stared up at him as she slid her hand between them and closed her palm around his s
wollen length. “I never expected to find you. This hunger I have for you is raging inside, Roan. Fill me with your love and never stop.”
Emotion choking him, unable to speak, Roan kissed her softly parted lips. Filled with love and hunger, he slid into her and began the climb to heaven. Soon they reached the top and shattered back to earth in a fiery blaze of passion.
Afterward, when they caught their breath, Roan sat up and pulled her into his lap, his arms folded across her chest. Doves flew down from the trees by twos and filled the air with cooing.
Roan buried his face in her fragrant hair. They would build something lasting here on their own land. They’d lay down strong roots, so deep that nothing could yank them out. Each day with her would be an adventure. “Tell me a story, my Texas Star.”
Epilogue
A few days following the wedding, Sheriff Bagwell paid them a visit. “We found good homes for all those children at Ruby Creek’s. I thought you’d want to know.”
Marley stood by watching as Roan shook the sheriff’s hand. “I did worry about that. Ruby loved them in her own way, I suppose, but I’m glad they’re going to get the right kind of attention where they can grow up into strong, compassionate men.”
Roan reached for her hand and squeezed. She returned the light pressure. He, above all, knew the kind of hardships that came from not having anyone to care. That he turned out all right seemed a miracle, but maybe it was a testament of his strength and deep convictions. She prayed those boys turned out like him.
* * *
Two months later, Marley noticed a rider coming through the ranch gate. She snapped a clothespin onto the tail of one of Roan’s shirts and stepped around her laundry.
“I’m looking for Marley McClain,” the young man said, dismounting.
“You’ve found her, only my name is Marley Penny now. Can I help you?”
“I surely hope so. I have a telegram for you.”
She took the piece of paper, wondering who it could be from. “Can I get you a glass of water?” She motioned toward their small house where she and Roan lived until their new one was finished.
“No, ma’am. I’ve gotta get back to town.”
She waited until he rode off before she tore open the telegram. Excited tingles swept over her to see it was from the Harper Brothers Publishing Company. Her hands trembled.
YOUR PIRATE STORY WAS EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR STOP YOU’RE BOTH A STORYTELLER AND DREAMER STOP EXCELLENT FOR CHILDREN STOP CONTRACT AND CHECK COMING STOP
Marley’s head whirled. She couldn’t believe it. Her dream had come true. Tears filled her eyes. She’d waited so long for this day, for someone to tell her she had a worthwhile talent.
Roan strolled through the door. As always, her breath caught at the sight of him. She flew into his arms. “They’re publishing my stories! I have a job.”
Roan grinned and gave her a light kiss. “I knew it would happen. I told you they were good.”
“Yes, but you don’t count.” She snuggled against his broad chest. “You think everything I do is amazing.”
“Only because it is, darlin’.”
That night they had supper in the main house. With everyone gathered around, she shared her big news, reading the telegram aloud. Everyone clapped and cheered—except Roan. He lounged in his chair, watching her, a wide smile showing his white teeth. Pride glistened in his eyes, and she was immensely grateful that the stars had aligned to put him in her world.
They were living on Promise Island.
* * *
They moved into the new house on the fifth of April in the year nineteen hundred. Other telegrams had come, along with checks, and as the publisher had promised, Marley had more work than she could do, and the days simply didn’t have enough hours in them. She slid a cake into the oven, bursting with exciting news for Roan. She couldn’t wait for him to get home.
Matt glanced up from a book he’d brought home from school. “Mama, what is a world’s fair? Is it bigger than a county fair?”
“Oh, goodness yes. It covers hundreds of acres. It’s a place where all countries can come and display their new inventions, and children can ride on tall Ferris wheels and all kinds of other things. Why do you ask?”
“My teacher says that it’s going to be in Paris, France, in a few days. Can we go there?”
Marley ruffled his hair and pulled out a chair. “Honey, it’s far across the ocean. It’s impossible for us.”
“Aw shoot! I want to go.”
“Maybe next year. It’ll be in Buffalo, New York, then. I could stop and see my publisher on the way.” She loved that idea and knew Roan would jump at the chance. But her news might change all that.
A few hours later, after Roan helped her with the supper dishes, she took his hand and they walked down to the corral.
Roan lifted a tendril of her hair. “You have this private little smile. Want to tell me what it’s about?”
“I have some news to share. I think it’ll make you happy. At least I hope so. But then, it’s going to bring lots of changes.”
“Just living each day with you and Matt makes me a happy man. I don’t need more.”
She stepped closer and whispered in his ear, “Not even another child?”
Surprise rippled across his face, and a slow grin formed. “We’re going to have a baby?”
“Yes. Sometime around the end of November.” She cupped his jaw and met his hopeful stare. “Are you happy?”
With tears in his beautiful gray eyes, he swept her into his arms. “More than I’ve ever been in my entire life.” He paused. “What do you think Matt will say? The kid’s really sensitive. I never want him to think we’re trying to replace him.”
“We’ll make sure he gets plenty of love and reassure him often. I think he’ll swell with importance at the notion that he can be a big brother.”
“So, this was what the cake was for.” He wagged his eyebrows. “You were buttering us up for the announcement.”
Marley laughed. “You’re too smart, Roan Penny.”
* * *
Marley’s first book arrived just after her first daughter came. They named her Alice after Roan’s mother and took Marie from Jessie’s middle name. On a winter day, Marley and Roan bundled up the baby and Matt and went to pay a Granny Jack a Christmas visit.
Her old friend cooed over the babe, while Matt dropped to the floor to play with the cats. “Little Alice Marie is a real beauty. I think she has your eyes, Marley.”
“It does appear that way.” Marley nodded to Roan.
He pulled a wrapped gift from a bag filled with fruit and goodies. “Granny, Marley and I want you to have this.”
“Me?” Granny stared up at them with her owl eyes. “My lands, I can’t imagine.” She slowly pulled the paper away, and tears spilled down her cheeks. She ran her fingers across the title: The Adventures of Mooney Jack.
“Open it,” Marley urged, cradling baby Alice.
Granny’s fingers trembled as she opened the first page to Marley’s drawing of Granny with her Mooney. “There we are. I wondered why you wanted to see that old picture.”
“I had my reasons.” Marley’s throat burned with tears. She’d loved writing the story and drawing the pictures and knew the special meaning the book would hold for Granny.
The woman turned more pages and stopped on the drawing that filled an entire page—the one of Mooney Jack standing in the middle of the road, his legs braced apart, and holding a tall, flaming torch. More tears spilled down her cheeks. “Oh, Marley Rose. This is worth more than all the gold on earth. When I die, I want this book buried with me.”
“I’ll see to it,” Marley promised, reaching for Roan’s hand.
“Never stop writing your stories and drawing your pictures,” Granny said, wiping her eyes.
Marley glanced up a
t Roan and smiled. “I won’t.”
And she didn’t.
About the Author
Linda Broday resides in the panhandle of Texas on the Llano Estacado. At a young age, she discovered a love for storytelling, history, and anything pertaining to the Old West. Cowboys fascinate her. There’s something about Stetsons, boots, and tall, rugged cowboys that get her fired up! A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Linda has won many awards, including the prestigious National Readers’ Choice Award and the Texas Gold Award. Visit her at lindabroday.com.
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